BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE reality of the cost of gun violence as a public health issue is being brought to light, as the Federation has seen an upsurge over the last several months to a year.
To date, the Federation has recorded 16 homicides and a number of other instances where injured citizens have been rushed to the Joseph N France General Hospital for treatment.
So what is crime and violence costing the country?
That is the reality SKNVibes News sought to get answered during a media engagement with former Chief Medical Officer and Government Advisor, Dr. Patrick Martin.
According to Dr, Martin, taxpayers are footing the bill every time there is gun violence in the Federation, from the EMT service to treatment at the hospital as well as to after service care.
That is because victims do not have to foot the bill when they are treated for gun violence, for in most instances the situations are life-threatening and the victims are in need of immediate care.
Based on that explanation, it is estimated that the cost of care is between EC$15,000 to EC$25,000, and in some instances EC$30,000, which is above the EC$10,000 that it takes to manage the JNF Hospital on a daily basis.
“It is about $10,000 per day to keep that hospital open. One gunshot, EMT mobalisation, the vehicle cost, wear and tear, and two to three workers. Back to base, whether Alexandra or JNF, where you have a doctor on duty, three nurses of various categories, clerks, support staff, cleaners,” were some of the resource personnel who have to be on call when a victim is rushed to the hospital for treatment.
That goes along with the millions that the Government continues to shell out in social programme for the most vulnerable in society, and the PEACE Programme.
Those costs are often not sitting well with many individuals who, during various radio programmes, had voiced their displeasure at the way the current administration have handled the crime situation.
The blame for the number of deaths have also been thrown to the EMTs, but Dr. Martin has come to their defense, reminding that they are not supposed to be on the scene until it is not deemed a hotspot.
He told reporters that one of the issues with gun violence is that they have become more strategic to the point where the perpetrators are carrying out attacks to inflict maximum damage.
“If the person is shot in strategic areas of the body, they will bleed out. And it is my experience that the shootings have become very precise,” Dr. Martin opined.
Alarmingly, the safety of operating staff is also called into question, as according to Dr. Martin too often when they are preparing the injured there is a weapon on their person.
