Philipsburg:--- Minister of Health Cornelius de Weever, Inspector General Dr. Earl Best, Secretary General of Health and Labor Jorien Wuite, Directors of SZV Denis Richardson and Reginald Willemsberg along with some of their staff members were among the delegation that provided information on the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) to the Members of Parliament during a permanent committee meeting on Friday.
The meeting was called by the chairman of the permanent committee of health Member of Parliament Petrus Leroy de Weever along with the two other members on the committee, MPs Dr. Lloyd Richardson and Romaine La Ville. MP Romaine La Ville arrived late to the meeting claiming that he thought all the meetings that were called by the permanent committee were cancelled.
Other Members of Parliament that also attended the meeting were MPs Gracita Arrindell, Johan Janchi Leonard, Patrick Illidge, Jules James, Hyacinth Richardson, Dr. Ruth Douglas and the Chairman of Parliament Rudolph Samuel. The meeting was held in a closed door session but based on information provided to SMN News, the situation at the St. Maarten Medical Center as described by Inspector General Dr. Earl Best can be considered chaotic or disastrous. Dr. Best investigated at least seven deaths that were reported to the Inspectorate. Based on the findings of these investigations, Dr. Best informed parliament of the state of affairs at the St. Maarten Medical Center and the quality of care that is provided to the people of St. Maarten. Dr. Best made a power-point presentation as he outlined his findings to parliament.
The permanent committee is scheduled to meet with the specialists and doctors of the St. Maarten Medical Center on September 3rd, 2012. The Supervisory Board of the St. Maarten Medical Center is yet to provide a date to parliament for when they will be able to meet with them. The chairman of the health committee already indicated to the Supervisory Board of SMMC that if they did not provide a date to Parliament by Thursday (23rd August) then he will use his right as Member of Parliament to request a Parliamentary inquiry at the St. Maarten Medical Center.
SMN News has learnt that the doctors and specialists of the St. Maarten Medical Center are scheduled to meet with the Supervisory Board sometime this weekend to further discuss the situation and patient care at the St. Maarten Medical Center.
Click here to view more photos of those that attended the permanent committee of health meeting on Friday.