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Sen. Antoine (R) |
Minister for Health and the Environment, Senator Ann David-Antoine has categorically denied the existence of tuberculosis at the Richmond Hill Prison.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference last week Thursday, the minister said she is rather sad, disturbed and disappointed at the kind of sensational coverage that the media have been giving to "a non issue" like TB on the island.
Opposition Senator, George Prime, had raised the issue of the disease at the last sitting of the Senate.
Eyebrows were raised throughout the island when Sen. David-Antoine responded to claims made by the Opposition member that government was aware of someone who was being treated for the illness.
"...I don't know what all this drama is about, it's not my concern who have it or who don't. There can be people sitting in this very building who is infected", the female government minister replied.
In the follow-up press conference, Sen. David-Antoine stated that she is surprised at the lack of respect and dignity nationals seem to have for human lives whether the person is dead or alive.
She blasted some of her countrymen for demonstrating very little conscience and no respect for human dignity and for seeking to raise fear and anxiety in the lives of some persons.
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Ruggles Ferguson |
Sen. Prime informed the Senate meeting that it was confirmed by a local medical doctor that at least one prisoner has the disease and is presently receiving medical attention.
Reading from a Ministry of Social Development Probation Unit report, the opposition Senator disclosed that the affected person is an elderly inmate at the prison and had been suffering from a series of medical problems including sores on his feet and severe coughing.
The report said in part: "He (the inmate) was seen by a medical doctor in this country and is receiving treatment for TB; he consumes a total of twelve tablets per day".
At last week's press briefing, Minister David-Antoine said that this assertion made by Sen. Prime was false and that there was an error made on the report by a female employee attached to the Probation Unit within the Ministry of Social Services.
The female government minister read from a typed statement allegedly written by the gentleman in question.
It said:
"My name is .... I am an inmate at Her Majesty's Prison on Remand, sometime ago I did a skin test along with other inmates for tuberculosis and was told that the result was about 10 and as a consequence medication was prescribed as a form of prevention that is prophylactic treatment as was told by everybody at the time when this occurred and was given two tablets daily by the medical doctor I took the two tablets for a month and discontinued.
"I am also on other medication for a broken arm, swelling and lump on both feet due to poor blood circulation. I have this medical condition for the last four years, I have even been hospitalised several times for the said complaint, this has nothing to do with tuberculosis. "Presently I am not suffering from tuberculosis.
"The lady (who) wrote the statement in reference to the Social Inquiry report, made a mistake by writing I consumed an average of 12 tablets daily for tuberculoses.
Minister David-Antoine said that she is disturbed that a confidential report bearing the seal of the government was brought into Parliament by the opposition.
In relation to a Prison Officer who was allegedly infected with TB, the minister denied the allegations saying that all tests conducted on the officer were negative.
Despite the assurances from David-Antoine, the issue continues to be a source of concern for many and was topical on the weekly, "Sundays with George Grant" radio programme.
President of the Grenada Bar Association (GBA), Ruggles Ferguson, who was a guest on the programme, called on government to "do the tests" for TB on prisoners at Richmond Hill as promised to the court and get it over with.
Ferguson warned that if the situation goes unchecked, the wider population faces the risk of being infected.
A number of prisoners in recent times have admitted to the court that they are receiving treatment for tuberculosis at the Richmond Hill prison.
