Regional leaders are calling for an investigation in the treatment and care of tuberculosis (TB) patients at Linden hospitals and for a study to examine the prevalence of the disease in Region 10.
This call came after a visit to the Upper Demerara Hospital (UDH) by Region 10 Member of Parliament Renis Morian, following complaints from residents and nurses. Several doctors attached to the Linden Hospital Complex admitted that they have concerns about the issue, while the hospital’s administration said there was no need for alarm.
Poor sanitation, water shortage, malfunctioning air conditioning and the non-existence of same in some sections of the hospital and the shortage of medical supplies and equipment were also brought to the fore. These were discussed by Morian and RDC councillor and Chairman of the Regional Health Committee Maurice Butters.
At the Upper Demerara Hospital at Wismar, nurses expressed concern about the prevalence of TB, while some of them complained that they had tested positive with traces of the infection.
TB patients are not being barrier nursed at the UDH as is the case with other infectious diseases, ventilation is very poor and patients visiting the health facility have repeatedly expressed concern about its environment. Regional Health Officer Dr Pansy Armstrong could not be reached for comment as she is on vacation. No one could say who is deputizing for her. The UDH falls directly under the regional administration.
Doctors and nurses told the visiting team and Stabroek News that they are not properly equipped to handle infectious diseases. “I heard about [nurses with traces of TB] and I know for sure that thing at the UDH is not up to scratch,“ said a local doctor who asked not to be named. He was supported by a team of Cuban doctors. “Need new hospital, hospital no good.” said one Cuban referring to the UDH. Another doctor referred to the hospital as “a ticking time bomb”.
At the time of the visit there was no running water at the UDH, a situation that nurses say occurs regularly. “These are not new issues this is something that has been happening for months and what is the administration doing? Nothing!“ said a nurse. She also pointed to the poor condition of the backup generator which does not kick-in whenever there is a power outage.
“If de power cut off we have to wait till de technical people tek dey dear time to come all the way from Mackenzie to put it on,“ she explained.
Speaking to the issue, TB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Farouk Riyasat said he was not aware that the infection is of the prevalence that warrants an alarm. He explained that treatment and care of all infectious diseases are done at the UDH and he was not aware that the standard procedures for care and treatment were not being adhered to. “TB is everywhere, throughout the whole country. If nurses have traces of TB we can’t pin the source of the infection to the hospital,“ he said.
The hospital’s CEO suggested to MP Morian that they round-table the concerns to include the hospital’s matron. “Meetings are just a lot of talk with no results,“ responded Morian.
On the issue of the backup power generating set, the administration said the auto switch is being installed. According to Stabroek News’ records this switch was the centre of controversy last year and several deadlines for its installation have gone by.
No statistics were available to justify the claims of either party.
Amidst the cry of shortage of medical supplies, mainly in the male and female wards, throughout most sections is the resounding complaint of heat. According to nurses on the Maternity Ward the air-conditioning unit has been out for well over two weeks. “As you can see there isn’t even proper ventilation and it’s very harsh on nurses and mothers and infants,“ said one nurse. The AC in the nursery was also out of operation.
Technicians in the laboratory said very often they face the same fate to the extent that they were unable to work in the lab on numerous occasions.
Morian said he will be taking up the issues at the level of Parliament and will also seek to have them addressed with the subject minister.
