Former Prime Minister ‘Deeply Disturbed’ by Events at St Jude Hospital

FORMER Prime Minister and Parliamentary Representative for Vieux Fort South, Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, says he is deeply disturbed by the events unfolding at the St Jude Hospital located at the George Odlum Stadium.

Over the past two weeks, there has been ongoing works to remove and replace the roofs of the stadium and the former PM on Thursday issues a press statement outlining his reaction to recent developments relocated to the hospital, which remains located in the Grorge Odlum Stadium several years after what should have been a temporary move.

According to Dr. Anthony, “I have been briefed on the ill-health experienced by medical staff and patients at the institution.

“A number of doctors and nurses have become ill following contact with material contained in the old roof, and have had serious allergic reactions, warranting sick leave. (But) Despite this, the Government has not called a stop to the ongoing works.”

The MP says that he is aware that formal complaints were made by the staff of St Jude Hospital and the Labour Department had to intervene to compel the Government to address the issues.

However, says Dr. Anthony, “The attitude and behaviour of this Government stinks.”

He said, “It has now been discovered that no approvals were granted by the Development Control Authority ((DCA) to undertake the replacement of the roofs of the stadium.”

The ex-PM continued, “It is ironic that Guy Joseph, the Minister of Economic Development, who frequently justified the stoppage of work on the original St Jude project and indeed, other projects initiated by the former SLP Government on the ground that that the planning approval processes were incomplete, should now embark on replacing the roofs of the stadium without planning approval.”

“What is worse,” the Vieux Fort South MP said, “is that the Government displays total contempt for the staff and employees of the hospital.”

According to the former prime minister, “This Government operates with impunity, disdain and disregard for the citizens of this country. This is unacceptable.”

Dr. Anthony said, “While the repairs to the stadium may be necessary at this time, I believe the existing works should be stopped, at least temporarily, to allow for environmental and health safeguards to be put into effect to protect doctors, health care providers, patients and residents of the Vieux Fort community, particularly those who live in close proximity to the stadium.”

He also said, “The government should have had the decency to inform all concerned of the impending works and the likely implications.

I urge the Development Control Authority to enforce the stop order until the issues surrounding the existing works are fully resolved.”

Dr Anthony added that he intends to “monitor the situation very closely, to protect health care workers at St Jude’s and his constituents.”