The original article can be found in: Antigua Observer By Theresa Gordon
ST JOHN’S, Antigua- A faulty air-conditioning unit at Mount St John’s Medical Centre (MSJMC) is hampering operations of the hospital and its staff.
The unit has been malfunctioning for the past few weeks and affecting the normal functions of various departments such as Radiology, Oncology and the Laboratory.
Communications Manager Salma Crump said she is aware of the situation and added that every effort is being made to improve conditions at the medical centre.
“The unit has been down for some time,” Crump confirmed. “It has affected several aspects of our operations but we are working to improve the conditions very shortly.”
The marketing manager said a new piece of equipment to control the temperature is being installed with the assistance of a maintenance crew from the West Indies Oil Company Limited (WIOC).
Additional assistance has come from officials from Sandals Grande Antiguan Resort, who have donated fans and other portable equipment to the centre.
The portable systems are in place in the labs and other critical departments to improve the air quality at the hospital.
Employees who complained that they found it very difficult to work in the heat remain on the job.
Crump said the two institutions and the staff ought to be commended for their commitment.
“We really want to express gratitude to Sandals and the maintenance crew from WIOC, who have visited the hospital twice a week to do welding and other installation work,” Crump added.
The country’s lone hospital has had it fair share of problems which stem mainly from inadequate finances.
Just last month, MSJMC reported that lack of payments to the hospital from the government was hampering its operations.
Crump, who spoke to OBSERVER media on the issue, said, “The hospital should be getting $3 million from the government every month, and we get $1 million from MBS.”
However, government officials, who too have complained about cash flow problems, have not lived up to their end of the bargain.
Health Minister Willmoth Daniel said he would have made representation to the Cabinet of Antigua & Barbuda on the behalf of the hospital.
