Hour-Long Blackout Hits Mount Hope Hospital — Health Minister RESPONDS

There was no disruption to critical medical services at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) in Mount Hope following an alleged hour-long power outage on Thursday (6th November, 2025). This according to Minister of Health, Dr. Lackram Bodoe.

The outage was first reported online by the Trinidad and Tobago Registered Nurses Association (TTRNA).

Speaking to reporters at the TT Revitalisation Blueprint event at the Diplomatic Centre, St. Ann’s, Dr. Bodoe said he had been in contact with Chairman of the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA), Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, who confirmed that backup systems functioned as intended during the blackout on Thursday. “There was no impact at all. Hospitals always have a standby backup supply, and I’m informed backup supply services were able to continue,” he said.

Dr. Bodoe noted that the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) was on-site during the incident, and a full report has been requested from the NCRHA Chairman. “The matter is being investigated, and I will get a full report from the Chairman,” he said, declining further comment until that report is received.

Asked if he had spoken directly with the TTRNA, Bodoe said he had not, as he was attending the event. However, he maintained services were uninterrupted.

Shortly after 2:00 PM on Thursday, the TTRNA posted photos on its Facebook page showing darkened hallways at the EWMSC, with the caption: “When Nurses upset - All types of things begin to go wrong in the Country. Entire EWMSC hospital in DARKNESS. No electricity in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Generator fails to start. Patients in the middle of Open Heart Surgery. RED ALERT RED ALERT.”

Speaking to Newsday via phone on Thursday, TTRNA President Idi Stuart described the incident as “deeply concerning” and called for a transparent investigation. “No Hospital in TT should suffer something like what went on today.”

He added, “If there were any lives lost during that period, we would definitely want that information to come from official channels in the form of an official report.”

Stuart hinted the association has information about what occurred during the blackout but reserved further comment till the NCRHA’s official statement.

“We have information, but I don’t believe it would be appropriate for the association to put that out at this time. If we believe the RHA has been less than helpful, then we may have to speak out,” he said.

Describing the situation as “an absolute no-no in healthcare,” Stuart emphasized that critical care units must never lose power. “It was really surprising there was a power outage which affected the entire facility. None of the generators were able to kick in,” he said, in contrast with Health Minister Dr. Bodoe’s assertion that “backup supply services were able to continue.”

Stuart added, “That is an extreme. A Hospital cannot do without generators. There can be a shortage of power anywhere else, but not in the health sector.”

He claimed there were active open-heart surgeries taking place during the outage, and several patients on ventilators and life-support machines were at risk.

“Those patients cannot go down even for a minute, far less an hour. The association’s prayers are with those patients who were in operating theatres, high-dependency units, or intensive care during that time,” he said.

More on this as it becomes available. 

[Source: Newsday]