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Calling for Government Investment in Maintenance of Healthcare Facilities Amid Environmental Problems, says NUPW Deputy General Secretary
The Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers called on the government to invest in proper maintenance of healthcare institutions amid environmental problems. The Chief Medical Officer acknowledged the issues but stated there is no quick fix with limited financial resources. Talks between the Ministry of Health and NUPW averted strike action at the David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex, with commitments made to address the cooling system and other concerns over the next three weeks. This comes after previous complaints about environmental issues at other healthcare facilities. The NUPW official recommended a structured maintenance program and regular maintenance on older buildings to prevent breakdowns. The Chief Medical Officer acknowledged the need for investment in old primary healthcare plants and committed to addressing the issues.
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Originally published by barbadostoday.bb (opens in new tab)
By Marlon Madden
In light of an increase in environmental problems at the island’s primary healthcare institutions, Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Wayne Walrond has called on the Government to invest in proper maintenance of these facilities.
However, Chief Medical Officer Dr The Most Honourable Kenneth George has told Barbados TODAY there is no quick fix to these issues, especially given the administration’s limited financial resources.
On Monday, workers at the David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex in St John complained about poor working conditions, threatening to walk off the job if something was not done to rectify the issues that include an out-of-service air conditioning system, and possible build-up of mould.
However, talks between representatives of the Ministry of Health and NUPW averted strike action.
Emerging from the “cordial” meeting just after noon, Walrond told Barbados TODAY he was satisfied that some progress would be made to address the cooling system and other concerns.
He said the Ministry of Health had committed to getting a split air conditioning system in place over the course of the next three weeks.
The NUPW official said management had also given the assurance that they would “put the logistics in place so that staff can still continue to function while having the situation addressed”.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and do some visits to ensure that the issues are being addressed in a satisfactory and definitive manner,” he said.
Walrond said the lack of a working air conditioning system had become untenable for patients and staff, particularly given the humid conditions this time of year.
“There are some other issues, including the issue of termite infestation. This building was one that stopped and started for several years . . . so that is another issue that the ministry will have to assess and address,” said the senior official of the country’s largest public sector trade union.
The David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex is the third healthcare facility in as many weeks where workers complained about environmental issues.
On August 3, nurses at the Maurice Byer Polyclinic in St Peter walked off the job as they complained about a damp and mould-infested environment that they said was causing frequent illness.
