Nurses attached to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) refused to enter the hospital’s compound yesterday to show their displeasure at the lack of protective equipment and disinfectants at the medical institution.
“We strike this morning because there are no protective gears, hand sanitisers and other disinfectants, nothing in the hospital,” a group of nurses told Stabroek News.
According to the nurses (who requested anonymity), they arrived at the hospital with the intention of letting their fears of being exposed to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) be known.
However, when they arrived, they found the gates locked and the compound deserted. So, they stood outside in the sun for hours before officials decided to open the gates.
“The gates [are] open and a lot of others gone in but we are refusing to go in because we are waiting to speak to the RHO [Regional Health Officer] about our issues,” one said.
Stabroek News was subsequently informed by Ministry of Public Health Public Relations Officer Terrence Esseboom that health officials have since convened a meeting to discuss the situation. However, up to press time, no update was given about the outcome of the meeting.
