Following a tour of quarantine and isolation facilities in Region Ten, that region’s Health and Emergency Committee (HEC) has announced that it is set and ready to accommodate COVID-19 patients.
This is according to head of the Committee, Orrin Gordon, who in a press release issued last Saturday said the committee is satisfied that persons who are going to be housed at the centres will find the environment at the facilities comfortable and acceptable.
The dorms of the Linden Foundation Secondary School are being used as the quarantine centre, which will house 40 persons. The Wismar hospital will house the isolation centre, which can accommodate 13 persons for now.
Gordon disclosed that all the region’s cases were previously being housed at Diamond. The Region has so far recorded nine cases, with one death and one recovery.
Expressing the hope that the region’s residents comply with all guidelines issued in order for them to remain safe, Gordon said he is hopeful that the numbers would always be small so that a situation does not arise where more space or additional beds have to be secured.
Highlighting the comfort he said the facilities will offer, the HEC head said that each room will have a fan and radio, while the buildings will have access to Wi-Fi and a library to ensure comfort and relaxation.
He said that while they had bought a number of pillows and linen, there is need for more and so they will be making additional purchases. He also said another coat of paint will be applied to the buildings to spruce up appearance and bring completion to preparatory works.
But the release quotes Gordon as saying “we are set right now and can begin to accommodate.”
Gordon, the release said, also noted that with the region having quarantine and isolation centres, performance of those required to offer services must be of a high standard.
On this point, the press release said, Gordon underscored that relevant education is provided along with rigorous screening for personnel who are going to be employed at the centres. “We established clear criteria of those who we are looking for as we must ensure that those selected can perform their work unimpeded,” he noted.
He added that the condition of the centres and the quality of meals offered must remain at the highest standard.
Gordon disclosed that while there are plans to increase both the quarantine and isolation centres, they are starting with limited numbers owing to severe financial challenges.
The release said, however, that within the last week the Finance Ministry, which was initially responsible for causing delay, came to the region’s rescue, and works resumed.
The release added that Gordon had expressed the feeling that his region was singled out for special treatment, but later heard his colleagues from other regions crying out and knew he was not singular.
It said he empathises with his colleague from the most populous region as they are “bearing the brunt for his and others. “This can’t continue… We have had to pay contractors and for other services, unfortunately we are very limited in this area,” he said.
The release said Gordon assured that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and other stakeholders stand united in the fight to ensure that COVID-19 is addressed aggressively while noting that while they have been making sacrifices, there is need for more stakeholders to play a part.
The press release went on to state that Gordon disclosed that “the seeming lack of interest being demonstrated by officers attached to the Ministry of Social Protection and Welfare is affecting their work.”
He noted that several of the issues affecting persons affected and or infected require counselling and increasing welfare assistance. As a result, he said, their refusal to assist the committee by being apart has further placed undue burden on the RDC’s already limited resources.
According to the release, Gordon said he has written the permanent secretaries and Ministers of both the Ministry of Social Protection and Public Health more than once because these officers should be playing a part given their mandate but unfortunately he is not getting the kind of assistance and cooperation from them.
He said he is, however, thankful to those groups and individuals both local and in the diaspora who have reached and stretched out to help.
Among those touring the facilities were Regional Health Officer Dr Pansy Armstrong, Deputy Regional Excutive Officer Maylene Stephen, Regional Chairman Renis Morian, President of the Linden Chamber of Commerce Victor Fernandes, Regional Labour Officer Eleze Benjamin-Hall, the contractor and a number of doctors and medical staff.
The tour was geared to determine the readiness of the centres and to ensure that all works executed on the buildings were done according to the requirements of the Ministry of Public Health.
