Loss of some health services during essential workers strike

By Admin. Updated 10:59 a.m., Friday, September 3, 2021, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Kingstown, St. Vincent: Some health services will not be offered from September 8 to 10, during which essential workers have planned to withdraw their services.

The Public Service Union – PSU has signaled an intention to withdraw the services of essential workers in the health sector over recent legislative changes which would require such workers to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

In a release on September 3, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment said that Regular district doctor clinics will not be held during the period, and that only emergency services will be offered at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

But, during the period September 8-10, Hemodialysis Services will continue at the Evesham Health Centre, and Exit Screening and COVID-19 Vaccinations will continue, the release stated.

The release stated:

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, by way of being copied on a letter to the Governor General on August 23,2021, was notified by the Public Service Union that their members had taken the “decision to withdraw the labour of all essential workers of the Crown for the period September 7th – 10th, 2021”.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment wishes to inform the public of the following:

1. Regular district doctor clinics will not be held at our health centers across St Vincent and the Grenadines for the period September 8th – 10th, 2021. Those persons with existing appointments for these clinics are asked to call their health centers to reschedule.
2. Only emergency services will be offered at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and the Modern Medical and Diagnostic Centre in Georgetown for the period September 8th – 10th, 2021. Emergency services can also be accessed at Levi Latham Health Smart Hospital and Chateaubelair Hospital. There will be no regular elective surgeries or outpatient clinics. Persons are asked to call to be advised and to reschedule their appointments.
3. Hemodialysis Services will continue at the Evesham Health Centre.
4. COVID-19 Exit screening services and Vaccination services will continue at all facilities.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment takes this opportunity to reassure the nation that we remain committed to providing all health care services essential to life and healthy living.