.png)
Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has characterised as unfortunate and inaccurate claims by the island's sole supplier of medical oxygen, IGL, that the ministry provided no projections to allow it to plan properly for the surge in demand for the gas.
IGL's claim followed last weekend's scare when all public hospitals reported dangerously low levels of oxygen, with some running out of the life-saving gas.
But Dr. Tufton refuted the claim while speaking Thursday on Radio Jamaica's call-in programme Hotline.
"There were several discussions with IGL in terms of where we thought we would be at the peak of the third wave in terms of beds and what the requirements would be in terms of oxygen. We agreed that they would produce what they could and increase where they could based on their existing capacity locally. But there was definitely a need for import and those imports would normally have come in last weekend if they did not suffer a set back because of their distribution chain.... So to now state that it was because of a lack of information, I put it no further than to say it's an unfortunate statement and it is inaccurate," Dr. Tufton declared.
IGL's Managing Director Peter Graham has said the company received no response to repeated requests to the authorities for forecast of oxygen requirements.
The Ministry of Health has countered pointing out it held discussions with IGL from May on its capacity to supply hospitals with oxygen for at least a month, similar to the previous peak in March.
The ministry said based on its projections for an increase in cases and hospitalisations, IGL indicated that it could expand its supply by 30 per cent.
Dr. Tufton said the statements by IGL have left him "at a loss" as they could undermine confidence in the public servants who are managing the pandemic and that "doesn't do well for what we need to do."
Contracts
The Health Minister also responded to IGL's concern about lack of contracts with three of the four regional health authorities, pointing out that contract renewals are not automatic.
"Contracts expire, contracts are negotiated, and in keeping with the procurement process, what really needs to happen is that requests for proposal are advertised," he explained.
But Dr. Tufton admitted that while "there has been some discomfort with having a sole supplier for this very important commodity...in fairness to [IGL], they have responded whenever the demand for a supplier is there."
Still, he said his ministry has to examine all possible options for oxygen supply.
"I'm not saying that they won't continue to be the only supplier, but we should always test the market to see what the situation is, and in this instance, I think that's the process that is taking place - and hence, you have what you have in terms of contracts. But we do honour our relationship, as they know, in accordance with the exisiting contract, even if it has expired, until a new contract is signed. So there should be no discomfort there," said the minister.
comments powered by Disqus
.jpg)
All feeds
