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Saturday 10th January 2004
Dr Deepak Mahabir, 50, head of the Metabolism Unit in the Department of Medicine at the San Fernando General Hospital, died suddenly yesterday morning of a suspected asthma attack. Dr Mahabir was due to take up the position of Medical Chief of Staff of the San Fernando Hospital on Monday. He was appointed to act to replace Dr Austin Trinidade who has been sent on 18 months leave. Dr Mahabir died at his Bel Air, San Fernando home around 1 am. His death shocked the medical fraternity.
Dr Trinidade paid tribute to Mahabir who had worked both in the San Fernando and Port-of-Spain hospitals for many years and more recently had headed the Diabetes Department of the Port-of-Spain Hospital. The Medical Professionals Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MPATT) yesterday extended condolences on behalf of the medical community to the wife and family of their departed colleague. It was not known who would act for Trinidade. Trinidade was earlier this week requested to proceed on the rest of his accumulated leave. It adds up to a total of 15 months, but Newsday learnt that last week he exercised his option to take the leave in batches. Trinidade, an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) surgeon who has been the Hospital Medical Director for the past nine years, declined comment when Newsday enquired if the decision to proceed on such long a period of leave was voluntary. "I have no comment to make," Trinidade said.
In April last year, Trinidade was ordered to proceed on leave when junior doctors shut down the hospital. He contested the move and was recalled. Trinidade was perceived to be sympathetic to the doctors' cause. Newsday understands that Trinidade recently informed the Ministry of Health that he was willing to forgo all of his accumulated leave and continue working at the hospital. When this request was turned down, Newsday learnt, Trinidade requested to take the leave in batches of three months. He also requested payment in lieu of leave. This was also refused.
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