By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 6, 2018 – Former Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Patrick Martin is giving public support to a caller who recently questioned the lack of ambulance service in St. Kitts.
At a recent Town Hall meeting in Molineux and on previous talk shows hosted by a government minister, a citizen expressed concern that the lack of an adequate ambulance service at the hospitals and fire services.
In a dismissive tone and tenor, a visibly upset Minister of Health, Sen. the Hon. Wendy Phipps downplayed the concern and responded that ambulances cost money.
In an opinion headlined “The Citizen, The Minister & The Ambulance,” Dr. Martin said: “In a democracy, the citizen is supreme and the minister is a servant. Servant ministers are answerable because they govern with the consent and money of taxpayers. Dignity and respect are due to all.”
He pointed out that an ambulance has a cost; EC$300,000 if bought fully equipped but 50% less on a do-it-yourself basis. Ambulances are pricey but must be bought since pre-hospital rapid response can be a matter of life or death.
“A full fleet of ambulances is expected in our nation of platinum residents; minimum of 5 in St. Kitts and 2 in Nevis. A submarine ambulance may be needed if some of our 1.5 million visitors are accommodated under the sea.
Planning and budgeting for the regular procurement and maintenance of ambulances are led by the Permanent Secretary. There is none in the health ministry on St. Kitts which largely explains the inventory breakdowns and other administrative deficiencies.”
Dr. Martin, who served as Chief Medical Officer from October 1, 2004 to June 16, 2016 continued: “However, there is sufficient local money to buy ambulances. A landmark study of money flows in the public health sector found that 34 million dollars in fees were spent at JNF and Alexandra in 2011. Of that amount, the hospitals collected 3 million and fee-charging doctors collected 31 million.
In other words, government is the 100% financier of hospital operations but collects 12% of the fees.”
“Subject to a harmonized policy decision, the long-standing irregularity in hospital fee-sharing can be corrected on both islands in short order. If effected, by December 2018, JNF should collect 25 million dollars and Alexandra 6 million – enough to buy 7 new ambulances and more.
Another funding solution is to increase the health budget. In the 2018 Estimates, the Federal Ministry of Health’s portion of total government expenditure is 9.7% compared to a regional average of 11%. An increase to the latter level would add 7 million more dollars to the Ministry of Health’s severely strained coffers.”
Dr. Martin stated the fact that the Federal Ministry of Health’s budget is under-funded and over-stressed is irrefutable.
“Of the 50 million dollars currently allocated to it, approximately 15 million dollars cover non-personal emoluments. This spending category includes food and beverage, physical plant maintenance, vehicles, medications, vaccines, equipment, supplies and utilities for 11 health centers, Cardin Home, Mary Charles, Pogson and JNF.”
Pointing out that the dance is not paying for the lights, Dr. Martin is of the view that the imbalance is aggravated by the high and ever-increasing costs of treating lifestyle-related disorders such as cancer, diabetes, kidney failure and injuries caused by speeding and inter-personal violence. In the circumstances, maintenance, and the purchase of vehicles and certain equipment and supplies are either delayed or sacrificed.
“What if 57 million were allocated and 20 million collected in fees? It means more national self-reliance and less need, if any, to go elsewhere, cap in hand.
Adequate and predictable locally mobilized funds give permanent secretaries more scope to effectively budget for areas of profound service importance; refurbished health centers, MRI, bedsheets and ambulances included,” he said.
Dr. Martin concluded: “My fellow citizen and tax-payer, remain resolute and keep pressing for comprehensive accounting of public monies and high performance in government.”
END