Damage to MCMH estimated to be over US$314,000

Officials of the Regional Health Response Team have estimated the cost of damage at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, as a consequence of the passage of the trough on December 24 and 25, 2013, to be approximately US$314, 210.85.{{more}}

A release from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment said the assessment was conducted between December 29, 2013 and January 2, 2014, by the relevant staff of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment and representatives of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The assessment was designed to determine the impact of the trough which affected the island, resulting in flooding in various communities across the country, the release said.

The assessment team outlined that the Administrative Block suffered damage to records, electrical systems and furniture. Maternity A received damage to electrical beds, outlets, transformers, furniture, as well as the power supply to the cardiotocography (CTG) which is used to manage contractions during labour and delivery.

Patients’ records prior to 2012 were also damaged by water, while the transformer and refrigerator in the lecture room were both damaged. Meanwhile, the Male Medical Ward and corridors were completely washed out, resulting in loss of equipment and supplies that were housed at those locations.

Additionally, according to the release, the CT scan machine at the Physiotherapy Unit, which received 12 to 15 inches of water, is currently being assessed to determine the extent of the damage. The oxygen plant has also been severely affected and is currently not operational, owing to damage to the compressor.