The pedestrian entrance of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) remained crowded for an extended period yesterday, following an announcement that visiting hours at the facility were temporarily suspended.

Following a vehicular accident in Owia early yesterday morning, {{more}}only relatives with family members in critical condition at the hospital were allowed to visit. A list of names of critical patients at the facility was sent to the security booth to help manage the number of persons coming onto the compound.

When she spoke with SEARCHLIGHT yesterday, hospital administrator Grace Walters stated that the measure was put in place to lessen the frustration and confusion of staff members and relatives of the persons involved in the mass casualty accident.

“That is only going to be in effect from today. We’re going to be open as usual, barring any unforeseen circumstances or any added casualties; things will be back to normal tomorrow (January 13), God’s willing,” Walters said.

Some persons who came with the intent to visit were observed quarelling at the gate, as they were informed of the situation by security officers stationed there.

“We know that there are people who would not be happy about it, because it is sudden. They had no warning that they won’t be able to see their loved ones at this time. We empathize with the people and we’re not trying to be harsh to them. We just want them to understand,” the hospital administrator told SEARCHLIGHT.

While acknowledging that a “critical patient” may vary, depending on the unit they are in at the facility, Walters revealed that the list at the security gate was a collective effort of doctors at the hospital.

She also noted that most children on the paediatric ward were grouped into the category, because of their age range.

Additionally, the hospital administrator explained that the MCMH wanted to provide the grieving relatives with the privacy necessary, following such an accident.

“We wanted to give the patients’ relatives some privacy to grieve if they have to grieve, so we try to curb the number of persons coming in,” she said. “People are coming in to see as much as they can. Most of the time, not everyone coming to the institution comes for what they say they are here for. Some people come to see what is going on, especially in a case like this where you have such a mass casualty.”(BK)