A woman, yesterday, took a jab at the Ministry of Health claiming that the ministry has neglected the Turning Point Rehabilitation Centre.
The woman, who declined comment after being probed by reporters, stood silently in Constitution Park, Castries with placards hanging from her shoulders.
One placard states that she is a product of Turning Point and a healthcare worker.
“I may be out of a job as of tomorrow but I need to send a message to (the) Ministry of Health (and) by extension (the) MHMC Board. We at Turning Point (are) tired of you’ll…”
“The place is closed”, she wrote on another placard, and “As I stand here the place has not one client in rehab… the phones most times are not even working.”
The healthcare worker (who did not reveal her name) had another placard which said the institution is currently closed “because staff didn’t sign a contract.”
But in a press release yesterday, the Millennium Heights Medical Complex said Turning Point is open and functional.
“Our unwavering commitment to serving our community and clients became even more apparent after a meeting with (the) Pan American Health Organization on Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Saint Lucia. The visit sought principally to enhance our existing programmes for improved service delivery,” MHMC said in its statement.
Moreover, the MHMC noted, “Turning Point Rehabilitation Centre offers both inpatient and outpatient services for individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders. These programmes focus on recovery, therapy, and support to aid in rehabilitation.”
But was the MHMC’s statement a response to the woman’s allegations? Several attempts to contact the MHMC were futile.
Although one of the placards stated there were no counsellors at the centre and “no 12-step facilitator”, the MHMC said, “The rehabilitation programme includes the following components: 12-step Programme, Individual Counseling, Group Counselling, Life Skills Development, Gym Activities, Gardening Therapy, NA/AA Meetings (and) Outpatient Services.”
“MHMC wishes to invite members of the community to capitalize on the services provided by the institution,” the statement added.