Hot and bothered at Mt Hope

Non-functioning air conditioning at some sections of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) over the past few months have workers hot and bothered because complaints to the authorities have yielded no results. “The heat is unbearable. We are working under these conditions and once we are getting the job done, management does not care,” a worker complained.

The areas affected are the Caura Chest clinic, cardiology and nephrology clinic. The Paediatric and Medical Departments are also without  functioning air conditioning. The cardiology clinic has a small standing fan but members of the public use pieces of paper as fans to cool themselves. The worker said conditions are especially deplorable in the Medical Records section which has no ventilation. She said the area is now called “San Quentin” after a prison in the US because of its steel door and “one little window.” She said the Complex Administrator sent out a memo stating that the AC will be fixed on August 8 but to date, the situation remains unchanged.

Another complaint is the stench of urine at Building One, where the Cardiology, nephrology and Caura Chest clinics are conducted. She said the stench has been around for the past two and a half months. “We complained to the Vice President of Quality, the Complex Administrator, Engineering and Cleaning Departments but no one did anything, and the stench is getting worse.” There is also a foul odour at the General Practice area after waste matter is washed from the mortuary. Contacted on Wednesday for comment, communications officer for the North West Regional Health Authority Lisa Lalsingh said that the problems identified by workers are being addressed.