NCRHA investigates alleged gang links in public hospitals

The North Central Regional Health Authority has opened an investigation into reports of alleged gang infiltration in public hospitals, citing claims of intimidation, extortion, threats and gang affiliation among patient escorts and hospital attendants.

The inquiry, led by the human resources department and the authority’s legal team, covers roughly 400 employees at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope Women’s Hospital, Caura Hospital and Arima Hospital. NCRHA chairman Dr Tim Gopeesingh said the group includes about 340 patient escorts and 70 attendants, with annual salaries totaling approximately $4 million.

No workers have been dismissed, Gopeesingh said, but employees have been asked to provide supporting employment documents. The authority said an internal review found daily absenteeism ranging from 30% to 50%. In one group of 69 employees, only five had submitted the required police certificates of good character.

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gangsterism, intimidation, bullying, extortion, threats and gang affiliation

The review also identified persistent late-coming, employees leaving before shifts ended, refusals to follow legitimate instructions and cases in which workers refused to transport patients. The authority reported frequent delays in patient transfers, saying the problems affected both patients and healthcare professionals.

NCRHA said disciplinary matters are under investigation and that it has introduced stronger supervision, continuous training, improved rostering, attendance monitoring and greater management oversight. It described the conditions as an entrenched breakdown in recruitment standards, accountability, discipline and management oversight, compounded by reports of gangsterism and alleged gang affiliation.

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not simply a department facing routine operational challenges, but an entrenched culture of indiscipline and non-performance