The Minister of Health and Social Development, Mr. Evans Rogers, says “things are moving along steadily and in the right direction” regarding a number of projects now in hand.
Speaking to media representatives on Tuesday, December 17, the Minister said: “We continue with improving the roof of the Princess Alexandra Hospital. We have gone into that particular project where the roofs of the outpatient and emergency rooms, and the administrative building, are being replaced. We are removing and replacing the roof over the main operating theatre and over the diagnostic and imaging centre. We have moved the operating equipment from the main theatre to a theatre next to the maternity wing. When the restoration is completed we will have two operating theatres at the same time.”
The Minister continued: “In terms of the clinic in the western area at South Hill, construction work is on the move and there is a 12-14-month duration for the completion of that project. The tender documents are supposed to go out this week for The Valley Polyclinic. The modern-day design is going to uplift the area, and we are hoping that towards the end of January we are going to have the ground-breaking ceremony for that project. There is some work to be done at the Welches Polyclinic, and all of this we are taking in strides moving forward. We are continuing to get donations of equipment and other supplies for the hospital but, because of the displacement of certain departments and so forth, the equipment is not visible at the moment.”
Mr. Rogers observed that the new Valley Polyclinic would take away a lot of traffic from the Princess Alexandra Hospital in terms of emergency treatment and other services, including the main pharmacy.
Commenting on space at the hospital, and rumours that some patients had to be turned away, the Minister stated: “We have been creative after Hurricane Irma when the whole place was flooded. We turned offices into wards – and babies were being born under the light of a cellular phone. There is always room for improvement but if a patient is critical, and needs to be hospitalised, that patient cannot admit him or herself. The doctors will have to do that. Any patient can discharge him or herself – as there is a form that a patient can fill out voluntarily saying he or she can leave the hospital.”
On the matter of prescription of drugs, and certain rumours, Mr. Rogers said: “It is disrespectful, as far as I am concerned, to the pharmaceutical science professionals, to think that after doing a minimum of four years, in an under-graduate programme, that any pharmacist is going to dispense expired drugs…I really despise the political atmosphere surrounding healthcare. It is sad. It is obnoxious because, at the end of the day, the only 24-hour health facility that we have in Anguilla is the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
“When you hear some of the comments made in the public concerning healthcare and treatment at the hospital, it is very irresponsible. It is disappointing, but I am not discouraged because, with my background and training, I know that we are working hard – and the healthcare professionals here in Anguilla, in terms of the environment in which they operate, the compensation packages, and the limitations that we have, it is not really and truly encouraging or enticing. It is because of their commitment to the profession that they are here, but there are greener pastures all over the world.”
Commenting on rumours surrounding the coming departure of the Ukranian General and Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Alex Rakovets, whose two-year contract in Anguilla ends on January 2020, the Minister of Health said:
“He has been a blessing to us here in Anguilla. The talent and skillset that he has, you don’t find them in one particular physician these days. The profession has become so specialised that general surgery and the capabilities that he has, you will find three or four people doing the work – and he has worked his way into the hearts of Anguillians. It is a difficult thing to do but he has done it – and has done it well.
“He and I have a very close personal relationship. I thank him for the way how he dealt with Anguilla and never complained. He came here and all the archaic stuff that existed here, for a number of years, he never complained about. As a result I worked with him, and he worked with me, and what we have today are some of the most modern laparoscopic towers and surgical equipment that we have anywhere in the region. I am very proud of that and thankful for his guidance.”
Mr. Rogers went on: “When you are in those professions and want to serve our people, you would find that Dr. Rakovets has a family and he has a son who was born in Anguilla. His wife is here and you have to sort of balance your profession not only from an economic standpoint, but also in terms of comfort.
“I have no doubt that Dr. Rakovets will find employment anywhere in the world. When you look at the compensation, so to speak, somebody with his skillsets, I am sure, will be offered all sorts of remuneration packages and so forth, but it has to be an environment where his family is comfortable.
“Dr. Rakovetts has promised that he will go to the media outlets to explain that it absolutely has nothing to do with the Health Authority, or the Government of Anguilla, in terms of his departure. His contract comes to an end on the 31st of January 2020 and he will be here until then. We wish him all the best for him and his family. I know that Anguilla is near and dear to his heart, and he is in the process of assisting us in looking for a replacement for him. So it has nothing to do with whatever they are talking about. It is the furthest thing from the truth.
“We sat, had several discussions – and I understood his position. I have a family and I too am away from them. There are some difficult times but, at the end of the day when you are going to compare and contrast your family with your obligations from an employment standpoint, your family will take precedence and you will move on. You will hear from Dr. Rakovets himself as it gets closer to his departure. He will explain to the general public, and his beloved patients, what the reason is. All that we couldn’t keep him, and we are running him away, is nonsense. Somebody with his skillset and ability is always needed.”
The Minster of Health added: “We are hoping to have his replacement before he leaves but, of course, it has to go through the registration process for that person to practice here in Anguilla. That in itself is tedious, but is necessary because you have to get the person’s credentials and qualifications to verify – and do the due diligence to make sure that the person who is replacing him has the required qualifications, skillset and experience.”
