The Director of Medical Services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has parted ways with the institution while calling for a review of the operating structures that have been in place since the healthcare facility opened almost 58 years ago.

Dr Clyde Cave, who has been associated with the QEH for more than four decades, said on Wednesday that the country’s lone public hospital needs more resources.

“I think, first of all, [there needs to be] recognition that the institution is underresourced and structures which were put in place when we moved in in the 1960s need to be reconsidered and re-resourced.

“And when I say re-resourced, it’s not just finance – although that is part of it too – it’s human resource development. The quality of the doctors encompasses the human and professional side and not just the technical side,” Dr Cave, who declined to renew his contract, told Barbados TODAY as he responded to a question about what improvements he would like to see at the QEH which opened its doors in November 1964.

“I would [also] like to see the caring and bedside manner get a little bit more prominence than it seems to have taken on in recent times,” he further suggested.   

Dr Cave, a consultant paediatrician and neonatologist, explained why he decided to leave the hospital at this time.

“My mandatory retirement was coming up in January and having gotten through the bulk of COVID, it was time for long-range planning and somebody else to take on the responsibility. I figured now would be a good transition for them and certainly a well-deserved rest for me. The contract ended, so I just didn’t renew or extend for the six months to January. I am out of here,” said Dr Cave, who started at the QEH as a medical student in 1978.

The specialist also reflected on his tenure at the hospital, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The last two years I wasn’t working as a paediatrician, I was in administration. We all know there were extraordinary times and challenges with COVID across the world. The QEH was no exception, and when called on to help in any way, you respond. I think during that time we were able to stabilise the ship. QEH was the one who responded nationally through our isolation centre and so on. A lot of other countries failed,” he contended.

“Given the situation and our available resources, we did a very good job,” the senior medical practitioner declared.

He pointed out that while the hospital looks to recover from the insults of the COVID-19 pandemic and faces a new viral threat of Monkeypox, there is planning for what comes next.

Looking back at the highlights of his career at the QEH, Dr Cave identified his management of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as one.

“From the time I took over the NICU, we have seen a dramatic drop in the death rates. And I think that was due to services we implemented when we opened the NICU,” he said.

Dr Cave said that although he has left the QEH, he will continue to teach paediatrics at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, train nurses in paediatrics and human resource development through the Shaw Centre for Paediatric Excellence which he heads, and remain with the World Paediatric Project to share his expertise with other Caribbean neighbours.

He said many children in other parts of the region do not enjoy full health care benefits and with international assistance, they are brought to Barbados and given the necessary care.

“It’s a slowing down, but not a stopping. I will still be running my office,” Dr Cave told Barbados TODAY.

Dr Chaynie Williams is now Acting Director of Medical Services.

(emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb)

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The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has advised against imposing restrictions on people arriving from any country as it closely monitors the spread of the Monkeypox virus.

At the weekend, Barbados confirmed its first case of the virus which has been reported in 63 countries.

Minister of Health and Wellness Ian Gooding-Edghill said a Barbadian man in his 30s who recently flew into the island tested positive for the virus after he presented to the Sir Winston Scott Polyclinic.

Two other Caribbean countries, The Bahamas and Jamaica, have also confirmed cases of the virus.

“CARPHA is monitoring the spread of the monkeypox virus – looking at prevention and control. We have also commenced testing for the Monkeypox virus. At this time, CARPHA does not recommend restrictions on entry of persons from any country,” Executive Director of the Trinidad-based regional health agency Dr Joy St John said on Monday.

“Working alongside our member states, we will support activities and educate the public to protect the health of all within their borders.”

Dr St John urged member states to continue to remain on high alert for the importation of viral or other infections and monitor in-country syndromic surveillance systems for increases in fever and rash illnesses.

“We know that diseases do not recognise borders, and international travel makes us aware that no borders are secure from the threat of diseases, especially infectious ones. At this time, member states are in various stages of easing of restrictions for COVID-19 which severely impacted the region,” the CARPHA boss said.

Dr St John assured that the agency will continue to coordinate public health policy and work closely with member states and other public health partners to respond to public health issues.

“As part of our regional public health management, we provide assistance to member states through the development of tools for investigation and epidemiological monitoring, and personnel are prepared to respond in country to assist in the investigation and control of outbreak, should the need arise,” she said. (BT/PR)

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