No Food Shortage At Clarevue Hospital -Gov’t

2

Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment has become aware of a statement circulating on social media as it relates to “a lack of food supply at the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital.”

Permanent Secretary, Ena Dalso-Henry, categorically denied that the situation is as described in the message being circulated.

She indicated that “the statement is very troubling and worrying for me since for such a situation to exist, management would have had to give an explanation as to why the Ministry was not informed so that the necessary interventions could be made for discussions to be held with the Ministry of Finance, Treasury or even the Cabinet to ensure that the necessary funds are available to meet the cost of the food supplies.”

In addition however, upon learning of the statement, the Ministry launched an investigation and carried out an assessment into the storeroom which supplies the kitchen.

The Permanent Secretary indicated she “is comfortable that while the stock levels are not at the best, at the volume that we would wish to have on hand, there is enough food supply on hand to ensure that the daily meals of the patients are met.

She further stated that “the statement that was put out, that appeal, I am not sure what the motive was, or if it was just malicious, but I can assure you that the statement is false and we do in fact have food supplies on hand to continue feeding the patients at the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital. “

Mrs. Dalso-Henry noted that “although we continue to have our challenges at all the institutions, we know that in the past, you the general public have assisted and donated and we are grateful.

Notwithstanding, she indicated that “the government and the Ministry has a responsibility to ensure that these patients who are in our care receive the treatment that they deserve and we remain committed to ensuring that all our patients are cared for at all of our institutions.”

Concerned citizen Alison Archer recently posted this to her facebook page:

Have just received an urgent call for help from the doctors and administrative staff at Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital.   The food situation is dire.  The suppliers of food are refusing to extend credit any further due to lack of payment of bills by the Treasury and which has to be authorized by the Ministry of Health.   The patients are down to having to eat ochroes boiled in water for their main meal.  I have not returned to Clarevue since the start of COVID and so this has come as a shock to me especially after Mental Health Week (celebrated this past week) – when so many activities (often with food) took place.  The administrative staff and nurses  are the ones who funded this week for the patients.  I am putting this plea for help on Facebook with the hope that general public will help even in a small way.  This is what is needed:-
Preferably large quantities (100 lbs and  up):
Fish, chicken, tuna, sardines, salmon, turkeys or ham.
Cassava, sweet potatoes, butternut, beans and peas.
Rice, corn meal, oats,  eggs, and milk
Fresh fruits
Seasonings such as salt, pepper and  other powdered spices.
Fresh seasonings such as onions, garlic, thyme, and  season peppers.
I have contact details if you are willing to help.  You can message me.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]

2 COMMENTS

  1. Come on ANR – put some backbone or shark cartilage, in your reporting(s), and #Stop censuring my comments, simply because you’ve being found lacking in your coverage and reporting of pertinent issues such as this!

  2. The situation is not as described in the message circulated. It is worse. Staff were spending their own monies to meet the shortfall.

Comments are closed.