Mt Hope neo-natal unit back in operation

THE neo-natal unit at Mt Hope Women’s Hospital reopened at the east wing yesterday with restricted access being enforced. Ten babies, who showed varying stages of the enterobacter, were transferred to another area for a week while the unit was sanitised. Several of them have since been discharged after receiving treatment. Contacted for comment yesterday, Dr Esau Joseph, the hospital’s Medical Chief of Staff, referred Newsday to the communications office of the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA). Communications Officer Lisa Lalsingh said a release would be sent out.

When Newsday visited yesterday afternoon the neo-natal unit was back at its old location. A doctor on duty said “the unit had moved back in the morning and was still settling in.” He described the area as “cleaner” although some things remain unchanged. The doctor said the unit was not equipped as it should be but, the Ministry had said it would address this issue. Although the sanitisation exercise was over inside the unit, there were chairs and incubators in the hallway which were to be taken away and cleaned. A father who was visiting his newborn said eight babies were moved back to the neo-natal unit. Commenting on the restricted access he said the doctors “don’t want anyone to bring bacteria into the ICU.” His brother was not allowed to visit.

While it is normal procedure for parents to be given gowns and caps when visiting, he said they were also told to wash their hands. The gowns and caps are being kept in bags with the name of the parent visiting. The Health Ministry is yet to reveal the findings of an investigation it ordered into the “unsanitary conditions” at the neo-natal unit and to determine who is responsible. Health Minister Colm Imbert was reportedly out of the country yesterday. The deaths of 13 infants last month was being investigated.