Thalia George

Tobago Regional Health Authority

The business of the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) is to promote and deliver client focused, cost effective, efficient, equitable, holistic and quality health care in a humane and suitable manner, by staff committed to excellence and professionalism. A Brief History TRHA History The Government of Trinidad & Tobago, spanning the stewardship of three political parties, identified the need to reform the Public Health Services Sector. Following in-depth analysis of the sector, a comprehensive Health Sector Reform Plan was developed and is now being implemented. One of the strategies for the implementation of this plan is the decentralisation of the operations of the Ministry of Health, by transforming the responsibility for bodies subject managerial discipline. This led to the creation of "autonomous bodies" known as the Regional Health Authorities with their own management structure, responsible and accountable for the delivery of healthcare. The Regional Health Authorities Act of 1994 is the Act which created the RHAs as legal entities. The Act was assented to by the President on the 19th December, 1994. The Tobago RHA is unique, in that it is subject to the THA Act. The RHA Act #5 of 1994, Part 11, Section 5.2 states that "In the exercise of its powers and functions. The Board of the Tobago Regional Health Authority is subjected to the provisions of the Tobago House of Assembly Act". National policies developed at the Ministry of Health are/maybe subject to review at the level of the THA. Within the THA, the Secretary for Health and Social Services has responsibility for the Health Sector. Management of the Community Health Services and the Hospital Services Sector has been delegated to the Tobago RHA.