Is the Federation’s Junior Minister of Health Wendy Phipps accusing nurses at the three hospitals and health centres of stealing supplies on the job for personal use.
That is the question being asked by Hon Marcella Liburd following Phipps’ radio and television address to mark Nurses Week in St Kitts and Nevis.
The junior minister also suggesting that the St Kitts nurses are also abusing sick leave and not properly attired. “Do I have a habit of being late for work? Do I abuse sick leave allowances that are provided by law? Do I steal supplies on the job for my personal use? Is my appearance neat and tidy from head to toe? asked Phipps, a non-elected Cabinet minister.
Speaking on Freedom Fm popular talk show Issues, on Wednesday Liburd asked whether minister Phipps was suggesting that nurses were not giving optimum service and commitment to their job. Liburd indicated that nowhere in the minister’s statement was a commitment from her, Minister of Health, Hon Eugene Hamilton, the Ministry and the Government to ensure that all health institutions have all the medication for patients including the chronically ill and seniors who suffer from diabetes and hypertension.
There have been reports of lack of medicines and other supplies from patients and those who attend the various clinics island wide.