Attempted rape at Mt Hope

The suspect, said to be employed by a maintenance firm that services the hospital, has been sent on leave.

The patient, Cindy Mejia, 31, a Malabar mother of four, said the incident took place last week Wednesday while she was warded at the hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia and possible Tuberculosis. She is also suggesting victimisation because she reported the incident.

Mejia, a Land Settlement Agency employee, said her problems started on July 1 when she began experiencing chest pains and went to the EWMSC. She was examined and moved to the critical unit. She was transferred to the adult admission ward, building 18, room 306.

Recalling the incident, Mejia said, “I was in the room at 10.30 am last Wednesday when the man, wearing a blue T-shirt (with a company logo) came to tidy the room. The man was wearing a respiratory mask and asked me if I had TB, to which I replied ‘no’.” “He ripped the mask off and said, ‘These (expletive) people don’t know what they’re doing’, before he went back to the door to close it. He turned to look at me and said repeatedly, ‘aye, you know I like to have plenty sex’.” Mejia said she became shocked, frightened and confused at his utterances.

She said the man came over to her bed head, repeating that he liked plenty sex and she raised her voice, commanding him to leave. Mejia said the man who earlier emptied the garbage, had a bag in his hand which he placed at the bed head and she felt he intended to use it as a weapon against her.

Mejia said when the man left, she ran out of the room and went to the nurse’s station where she told officials of the incident. She said a nurse waved her away and told her, ‘look go back to your room.’ Mejia said she reported the matter to the Quality Assurance Department and was transferred to the Caura Hospital on Saturday.

Mejia says she is now being told all her bloodwork and files from the hospital have disappeared.

Mejia was still warded at the Lily Suite, bed 13, of Caura Hospital up to yesterday. She says she will now have to be warded for another week or more to await the results of new tests much to the inconvenience of her four children and husband.

Mejia claimed that while being transported to Caura one of the nurses who was in the ambulance tried to stop her from talking on her phone about the incident by slapping her hand causing her cell phone to fall and break.

She said that after being housed at Caura hospital she called the Quality Assurance Hospital at the EWMSC and reported all her concerns to a Ms Browne, of that department. Mejia believes that she was transferred to the Caura because of the incident at Mount Hope and has decided to seek legal redress.

Newsday contacted Ms Browne of the Quality Assurance Department of the EWMSC who confirmed that a report was lodged by Mejia and the matter is being investigated.

Mejia said she decided to go public with the information because she believes women should be protected and called on the Ministry of Health to beef up security at hospitals. Newsday contacted CEO of the EWMSC Davlyn Thomas who also confirmed that an investigation has been launched.

“The allegation is serious enough to warrant an investigation and I am particularly concerned about the well-being of the patient so I am now doing some follow-up checks to find out about her blood work and records and where they are at this time,” Thomas said. He added that every attempt will be made to deal with the matter expeditiously.

Newsday also contacted the cleaning company with which the suspect is believed to be employed and was told that the manager will respond “in due course.” Yesterday an official of the maintenance company with which the suspect is employed confirmed that the he has been sent on leave pending further investigations.