Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell,\u00a0has\u00a0 embarked on a series of meetings with Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and other senior\u00a0 ministry officials, in the wake of the recently announced Cabinet reshuffle.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister met Thursday with top officials of the Ministry of Health and charged\u00a0 the team to work together to bring about the best possible health care for the people of\u00a0 Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.<\/p>\n
For the first time, the Ministry of Health will have two Ministers \u2013 Honourable Nickolas\u00a0 Steele maintains responsibility for Health and Social Security while Honourable Delma\u00a0 Thomas will have specific responsibility for Hospital Services, in addition to being the\u00a0 Minister of Social Development, Housing and Community Empowerment. There will also\u00a0 be two Permanent Secretaries.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mitchell outlined some of his expectations given the new construct of the ministry but\u00a0 he welcomed feedback and suggestions from the health officials.<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cThe change is a bold decision; it can work very well or it may require further\u00a0 change but what is important is that we cooperate and collaborate to give the new\u00a0 construct a chance to work. Government has a fundamental responsibility to provide the\u00a0 best healthcare possible. If at present, we say we are satisfied with the current level of\u00a0 healthcare, we are doing a disservice to our people. There are weaknesses in the system\u00a0 and we must be prepared to make the necessary changes to generate the improvements\u00a0 we wish to see. The entire team must make an effort so that we have the best opportunity\u00a0 at success. This is a bold step in the right direction and collaboration and communication\u00a0 must be seen as critical keys to this success.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister described healthcare as a matter of life and death, which is often one\u00a0 of the most contentious issues in any country.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mitchell said, \u201cDecision-making must be patient-oriented, transparent, timely and\u00a0 consistent with the overall direction of Government\u2019s policies. People will respect you for\u00a0 making decisions that are fair and balanced. We must plan aggressively, implement\u00a0 efficiently and problem-solve quickly. Our goal is to build a healthcare system that is more\u00a0 focused on patient-care that is equitable, accessible, affordable and sustainable for\u00a0 current and future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n
All health officials present voiced support for the new direction of the ministry and\u00a0 committed to working together to achieve the desired outcomes.<\/p>\n
Minister Steele said the approach is revolutionary and encouraged the team to take both\u00a0 individual and collective responsibility to make it work. Minister Thomas promised to bring\u00a0 her passion and drive to the area of Hospital Services and to be a champion for\u00a0 improvement.<\/p>\n
Improved customer service and communication were among the areas cited for much needed improvement. It was noted that the majority of complaints received focused on\u00a0 these areas, rather than the actual medical care provided to patients.<\/p>\n
The issue of adequate staffing was also discussed and the Prime Minister suggested that\u00a0 this be addressed through service contracts rather than bloating the public service. He\u00a0 said, \u201cWe have to consider the holistic development of the system. This is not only about\u00a0 the needs of one particular ministry; it is not about politics; it is about good management\u00a0 practices that help to ensure good governance and long-term sustainability of the entire\u00a0 system.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister\u2019s meeting with the various Ministers and senior ministry officials will\u00a0 continue in the run-up to the Ministers assuming their new portfolios on October 5, 2020.<\/p>\n
There will also be changes to the assignment of Permanent Secretaries. An official\u00a0 announcement of this will be forthcoming.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell,\u00a0has\u00a0 embarked on a series of meetings with Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and other senior\u00a0 ministry officials, in the wake of the recently announced Cabinet reshuffle. 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