Breathing and heat problems at hospital

Workers at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) are fed up labouring in sweltering conditions for the past year due to the non-functioning air-conditioning unit.

“The next move is to shut down this place,” a worker threatened yesterday. She said conditions worsened last month and did not know how much longer workers could tolerate the situation. “We are working under terrible conditions. “Even the Intensive Care Unit has been affected. The door must be left open to allow fresh air in for the area. This makes it possible for infections to occur, the worker said. Wards, all of the clinic areas, the dental hospital, Medical Records Department have all been affected.

Personnel at the Dental Hospital were working half-day because of a lack of air-conditioning. But at a recent meeting administration decided that could not continue, now workers must work the entire day under the same conditions.” Staff at the Medical Records Department file room have been working shifts as this section had no windows to allow for ventilation. The worker said a functioning AC system was not expected until next year as tenders have now gone out and this should take six months with installation lasting for another six months. She said due to the North West Regional Health Authority owing money to the National Gas Company (NGC), it has stopped supplying gas for the chillers at EWMSC.  “The chillers have been breaking down constantly.”

Contacted yesterday, Hospital Administrator Colin Bissessar said the “matter is being addressed” and tenders have gone out. He declined to comment further and said all media releases must come from the office of the Chief Executive Officer. However, Ag CEO Karin Pierre was unavailable for comment.