Opposition Awaits Answers on Deaths During Oxygen Shortage

Opposition Leader, Mark Golding calls for an independent investigation into the deaths between August 27 and 30, when there was a shortage of medical oxygen at hospitals across the island.

Golding and his team toured the Savanna-La-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland earlier this week. Where a field hospital is being constructed. The hospital has lost five members of staff to COVID-19 in recent times, among them a senior nurse.

The Opposition’s recent tour of the Savanna-La-Mar Public General Hospital took an emotional turn as leader Mark Golding spoke with the widower of Deidre Cunningham, who led the nursing team at the hospital’s accident and emergency unit.

The Senior Nurse lost her battle with COVID-19 in late August. Her husband is a transport and maintenance supervisor at the hospital. The Opposition leader is again appealing for a full investigation into deaths that occurred at public hospitals during the period of oxygen shortage.

Meanwhile, he says the field hospital being constructed at the Savanna-La-Mar Public General Hospital is a bit behind schedule and is desperately needed. Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says the field hospital will provide 36 to 40 additional beds for COVID-19 patients.

Both the Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr. Morais Guy, and leader Mark Golding have expressed gratitude to the hospital staff.

More in this CVM Live story from Aladden Love: