BY JOSES SAREN
Repair work at the cancer day-care is said to go beyond the two-week timeframe initially announced by health authorities.
Damage is worse than first reported, which culminated in a frightening incident earlier this week in which one of the building’s posts collapsed while patients were receiving treatment.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) announced this week that the cancer day-care service had been temporarily relocated to an adjacent building while urgent repairs were carried out on the clinic’s timber floor, estimating the work would take two weeks.
But George Kadau, assistant supervisor for NRH Carpentry, told Island Sun the repairs go far deeper.
“The original posts were galvanised steel, but because of how close we are to the sea, they rusted and some of them broke down over time. We’re replacing them with concrete posts now, which will last much longer. Because of the extent of the work, it could take more than two weeks to finish,” Kadau said.
The urgency of the repairs was triggered by patients who were present when a structural post gave way during a session last week. One woman, who was connected to an intravenous drip at the time, said she removed the line herself and fled the area along with others and nurses.
NRH has not responded to enquiries by Island Sun for comments.
The repair work is being funded by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), though officials have not disclosed the total cost.
The deteriorating state of the clinic comes as the unit faces surge in patient numbers. A woman at the facility, who requested anonymity, said cancer cases had spiked dramatically in recent years.
Island Sun sought comments from the Cancer Care unit but was told the relevant officer was on leave.
Patients with routine or planned appointments have been advised to continue attending as scheduled. For inquiries, they can contact their doctor or nurse directly, or reach the hospital switchboard on 4400, the Cancer Registry on 44093, or the temporary clinic on 44077 or 44078.
Photo credit: Joses Saren
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