By Helen Grenade
January 14, 2025
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) government is in shambles, mitted in controversy, since Dickon Mitchell became the new Czar in Grenada.
Crime level has become rampant, the health care system is in crisis, worst it’s ever been in years.
Unbelievable, matters are getting worst within this lousy government.
Dickon Mitchell, a man inexperienced in politics, got rid of all the original heads of the National Democratic Congress Political Party and their acolytes, including everyone of the rank and file. He in other words, threw out the proverbial baby with the bathwater, which is tragic.
What is desperately needed, is a government which is truly professional and non partisan that puts the people and the country’s national interests first. Prime Minister Mitchell is sadly demonstrating how clueless he is in face of the real economic hardship and the health care crisis affecting Grenada.
The NDC took office energized with promises of “transformation” but has not accomplish any significant goals.
Grenada’s health systems and the country’s economy needs resilience to be rebuilt, the government must invest in the people who form the backbone of the health care system , the essential primary health workers should always be first.
As Global health ambassador, what is Trevor Layne doing to prevent, detect and respond to any humanitarian crises in an emergency that could and may arise. Does the Global health Ambassador and the government have a system in place that can rapidly deploy, surge funding and staff to coordinate responses in Grenada?
Grenadian are hoping that Layne’s appointment was merit based, and so they are pleading with him to get to work for them.
They are also asking the Ambassador, when was the last time, he made a visit to the hospital?
Health risks like the COVID-19 pandemic taught us that health risks anywhere are a threat to people everywhere.
Some may deny that the health care in Grenada is fragmented or all people can come together and strengthen the health and safety for all Grenadians.
Mr Global health ambassador, now is the time for you to start listening to the Grenadian people’s concerns, time to offer care and advice, that can alleviate and reduce suffering and help people to meet their fullest potential at every stage of life. As a doctor who is specialized in the treatment of cancer, and is committed to helping people, the people of Grenada sure will appreciate your urgent assistance, because this is one luxury they can’t afford to do without.
There should be no such thing as working for free, when you are providing life-saving care to your citizens. Especially, when you consider the fact that the frontline workers can be exposed to disease and more often than not, lack the basic protective gear they need to stay safe.
Grenada’s hospital tanks one of the worst in preventing deaths, and guaranteeing quality treatment for patients, people are experiencing much more avoidable deaths, due to constrained budgets and other challenges. The fragile and fragmented health care system is brain drain, further making the situation worst.
The health care system is in a class al it’s own, in a devastating way.
The NDC government and it’s global health ambassador is failing its principal obligations, to protect the health and welfare of its people.
Meanwhile, most of Grenada’s health care workers, use their own budget to purchase personal protective equipment .
Doctors and nurses, and health care employees lack the support of medical supplies from the government. Many people continue to die due to inaccessibility to basic medical care and services.
The lack of international support, bad government policies, understaffed hospitals, have collectively contributed to the collapse of Grenada’s health care system.
The ongoing collapse of the Grenada’s economy will terminate decades of efforts to reform the health care system within the country by the New National Party of former Prime Minister Dr The Honorable Keith Claudius Mitchell.
The New leader of the NNP, Honorable Emmalin Pierre is requesting global donors to provide comprehensive funding that can enhance medical initiatives in Grenada. Previous improvement’s in the health care sector by the previous government are likely today to be lost, and the residents will suffer more from health care deprivation, unless the current political issues affecting people and country, such as inefficient disaster prevention, and the lack of international support are recognized and effectively resolved.
The collapse of Grenada’s economy and the loss of thousands of jobs after the NDC won the last general election, drove many people into some kind of poverty, leaving them unable to pay for private medical care expenses. Worsening their social determinants of health and threatening rights, essential for maintaining an adequate standard of living .
Even with a political appointer global ambassador, the health care confirmation in Grenada has not improved and it’s not showing any sign of getting better. The health ambassador promised that ” he is committed to provide due diligence”. The ambassador’s nephew, Jonathan La Crette no longer holds the position of Minister of Health in Grenada, he was unceremoniously fired by Dickon Mitchell. La Crette had promised to hold formal engagements with organizations such as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) engagements that it was alleged never took place. La Crette wanted badly to hold those meetings to address the septic condition that is Grenada’s health care system.
The health care system is facing challenges, including long waiting times for some procedures, potential issues with hospital capacity and resource allocation.
The government and it’s global health ambassador, must do their utmost best to introduce Universal health care system to Grenada. One that provides, health care for all citizens. It can be funded primarily through mandatory health insurance. This type of system can be based on compulsory insurance with employers and employees contributing to that system.
This will be a demonstration of Dickon Mitchell strength and effectiveness when it comes to his “transformation” agenda which he promised the people of Grenada in 2022.
Grenada faces the challenge of an aging population, which increases the demand for health care services. The citizens are aware of the severe problems facing the country’s health care system and recognizes the need for swift action. The system needs to be reformed now , it needs much improvement. Efforts must be made to improve the situation.
Medical care needs is unavoidable, and as long as there is a substantive increase in needs, and increase in medical care costs should be considered inevitable.
Grenada’s health care system is divided between the public and private for profit. The system spends more on treatment than on prevention.
We must act now to tackle this challenge head-on, that demands immediate attention by the Dickon Mitchell government and the global health ambassador. It’s a serious concern that needs to be addressed immediately.
(The author is a contributor to the Caribbean Magazine Plus)
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