PATIENTS and doctors at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) Accident and Emergency Department have had a temporary reprieve from the heat after fans were installed to keep them cool.
Three fans have been installed in each of the A and B treatment rooms after a report about patients’ and doctors’ plight without air-conditioning was highlighted in the GDN last week.
“Things are slightly better and we are not really suffocating any more,” said a doctor, who didn’t want to be named.
“However, the conditions are still very uncomfortable. We hope there is proper cooling soon.”
The GDN reported last Wednesday that although air-conditioners in treatment rooms A and B were working, there was virtually no cooling, with technicians unable to fix the problem.
Health Ministry director of engineering and maintenance Mohammed Abdulla Al Qahtani, had claimed that nothing was wrong with the air-conditioning.
Extensions
He blamed the problem on “hundreds of people” going in and out of the department and leaving doors open.
New extensions to the department had recently been added, which needed all areas to be secured from outside elements, added Mr Al Qahtani.
He said a process to install new air-conditioners was in the tendering process, but would take a while.
The air-conditioning has reportedly not been working for the last four months and doctors say they had complained several times.
Officials initially installed two fans each in the rooms, which broke down in a few days.
Some patients resorted to getting their own fans to help them keep cool, according to sources.
The two treatment areas collectively can accommodate around 40 patients.
The other treatment areas, C and D, as well as the recently added new “E Room” extension, can accommodate another 60.
Health Ministry officials would not comment yesterday.
Gulf Daily