A public policy agenda is currently being pursued aimed at transitioning Trinidad and Tobago to achieve developed country status by the year 2020, if not before. As part of this agenda, the Ministry of Health has been actively implementing a number of projects at the regional and community level which seek to provide citizens with health care and health services that would allow them to live longer and healthier and more productive lives.
Having reviewed the recommendations of the Vision 20/20 Health Sub-committee, it has been noted that, despite the substantial investment in institutional and infrastructure capacity which have occurred, there remain several gaps in our health sector capability. Left unattended, these deficiencies will not allow for the development of a health sector which is responsive, accessible, affordable, caring, proactive, knowledge driven and technologically advanced, and which recognises and selectively embraces the use of alternative medicinal practices in the treatment and prevention of disease.
A significant level of focus for the TTHSI therefore, is on developing the human resources in the sector, and providing the capacity to manage and deliver health services. Ultimately this would positively impact issues such as staff attitude, communication, resource optimisation and evidence-based decision making, allowing the sector to transition towards being a more people-focused and service-friendly entity providing quality services. This having been achieved, will allow Trinidad and Tobago to become recognised not only for providing citizens with a high standard of health care, but as a centre for the provision of medical services for the region and Latin America. |
