Dominica Nurses Association (DNA) Press Release re Marigot Health District
Nurses, Midwives, and other health workers in the Marigot Health District have been dealt a vicious and low blow by a political organization namely the Marigot Labour Party who have erroneously accused them of infecting the health facilities in that district with mold. Their facebook statement of August 27, reads “the continued mold issue at the health centers, for example, is nothing but a weak attempt by Anti Government operatives to continue to not sanitize effectively and to carry contaminated items into every new facility where they are placed to function”. The Marigot District health team has been working under extreme conditions in recent years.
Since the demise of the Marigot Hospital four years ago and now the Marigot Health Center six months ago, the Wesley Health Center has taken up the slack as Emergency Room for the district while at the same time continuing to accommodate all those from both communities who are in need of other primary health care services. The health team has always kept the Primary Health Care Director and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of health informed of their challenges and needs. While many needs have been met some critical needs remain unattended or inadequately addressed hence escalating into the present situation – the shut down of the Wesley Health Center and the Atkinson Health Centers.
Consider for a moment that nurses and cleaners have had to purchase disinfectant with thier own monies and have also had to justify why they need paper towels for the health center. Consider also prolonged plumbing problems leading to favorable conditions for mold growth and spread. Consider also the non routine general professional sanitization and maintenance of heath facilities. Consider the many health facilities which sustained minor damages from Hurricane Maria and which have still not been repaired hence creating the environment for the growth of mold. Consider also other government offices like the printery, the registry and a Ministry of Tourism office that have been plagued with molds. It is therefore misleading, mischievous and deceitful for the Marigot Labour Party to accuse and blame their very own health workers for this health crisis.
The DNA hereby asks the Marigot Labour Party to withdraw their accusatory and uninformed statement and apologize to the doctor and members of the Marigot Health Team. Your statement have both questioned your integrity and insulted a workforce that is daily sacrificing and risking all they have to deliver healthcare care in an increasingly toxic work environment, characterized by victimization, psychological violence, lack of compassion, inadequate remuneration, shortage of nurses, midwives and orderlies, no security and a perpetual deficit in resources.
The DNA is also asking the MOH to condemn the statement of the Marigot Labour Party and to hasten to find separate and suitable buildings for the safe delivery of health care for the Wesley, Marigot and Atkinson communities as well as to provide professional sanitization of the infected facilities. Additionally DNA recommends the development of policies and practices or their reinforcement, for the periodical sanitization and maintenace of all public health facilities for the prevention of mold or other infectious organisms quite apart from the daily cleaning by janitors.
Health is a human right and not only is denial of health care a violation of that right but delivery of health care in an unsafe environment is a deterant to embracing that right. Once again the DNA calls on the Ministry of Health to sufficiently staff and equip a Continuosly Quality Assurance department to evaluate, promote and ensure safe and continuous healthcare for all.
This article is copyright © 2019 DOM767
