By The Star Staff
Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón on Wednesday discussed with representatives of some sectors of the island’s health component their needs two years into the pandemic, and given the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases.
“The COVID emergency continues not only in Puerto Rico, but in the rest of the nation and the world,” the resident commissioner said in a written statement. “I was listening to part of the health component on the island to identify the challenges they face at the moment and how we can help the system avoid a collapse and continue to provide medical services to our population; this ranges from more available tests, protective equipment and, above all, ensuring that there is human capital to care for patients.”
Among the topics of discussion was the need to promote initiatives that help retain health personnel such as nurses, doctors, social workers, and cleaning and security personnel on the island, who are a cornerstone of the provision of health services, but who have not qualified for the aid that has been provided. The increase in costs that health providers have had to absorb in order to provide their services in a safe environment was also discussed.
The meeting was held virtually and was attended by Caleb Colón Rodríguez, president of the Health Services Administrators Association (CASS by its Spanish acronym) along with members of the CASS’s governing board; Dr. Víctor Ramos, president of the Physicians & Surgeons Association; Jaime Plá, president of the Hospitals Association; Dr. Gloria Amador, executive president of Salud Integral en la Montaña and the Alliance of Community Health Centers 330; and Marta Rivera Plaza, executive director of San Juan Capestrano.