Wednesday, January 3, 2007

by Stephen Cummings
Caribbean Net News Trinidad and Tobago Correspondent
Email: stephen@caribbeannetworknews.com

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Protesting doctors at the nation's public health institutions in Trinidad are threatening mass resignations. The action comes following an injunction filed by government to prevent them from abandoning their jobs.

The doctors have given the island's Health Minister John Raheal to the end of this week to meet their demands.

The doctors, all of whom are represented by the Medical Professional Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MPATT), have been refusing to work on weekends and do overtime duties.

The impasse stems from delayed salary negotiations. Checks revealed that a large number of doctors from both the north and south regions continue to call in sick, defying a court order to return to work. They are vowing to keep up their protest saying there is nothing in law which forces them to do overtime work.

Acting President of MPATT, Dr Rajendra Persad, speaking with reporters, said normalcy in the health system will only return when their issues are settled.

The issue has now left patients at the mercy of the doctors. Although the exact number could not be confirmed, it is being reported that some people have died due to doctors withholding their services.

The Trinidad government is now being forced to put emergency measures in place to help normalise the situation.

It is not clear how long the standoff between doctors and the government will continue.

Government has been refusing to negotiate directly with MPATT, saying it is not a recognised union that can legally represent the protesting medical workers. The Public Services Association (PSA) is the recognised bargaining unit for public health doctors.

Negotiations are currently on the way between the (PSA) and government aimed at settling the issue.

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