While the Public Health Ministry has dubbed its COVID-19 quarantine facilities as ‘comfortable’ with all the necessary amenities, this has once again been rebutted by patients who have been staying at these centres over the past weeks.
One of the meals prepared for COVID-19 patients
Another dreadful story was brought to light by one person, who spent some time at the Diamond facility after testing positive. The woman, who requested anonymity fearing victimisation, said some of her other relatives continue to face substandard treatment in quarantine and the situation is getting worse.
She recollected that from the time they entered the facility, they were left stranded without the presence of any authorities to make queries or raise concerns. From then on, things went downhill.
“It’s not good as the Ministry said that it’s comfortable and that they have all these things. It’s nothing of the sort. It’s like when these people test you and you’re positive, they come for you immediately. When they take you in, that’s it. They’re done with you. If you have a query or things that you don’t understand, you can’t get on to them, because they don’t take your calls and the doctors on duty never know nothing,” she expressed.
Speaking about the condition of the facility, she related that hygienic practices were beyond poor. There were no sanitising products to use and even the washrooms were without toilet paper for almost one week. Instead, patients are burdened to ask their families to send these basic necessities.
There are some days when the water supply would cut, and many persons would be deprived of their afternoon shower.
“Sometimes the water would cut off and you wouldn’t be able to have a shower in the night. They’re talking about hygiene and so on, but sometimes their water is off. Apart from that, they have nothing like sanitisers and soap to give patients although that’s a COVID infested place,” the former patient complained.
Meanwhile, she confirmed reports of innutritious meals being given to patients and the lack of three-square meals. In one instance, they were given two slices of bread sandwiched with what appeared to be mustard for dinner. In other instances, it was a tiny portion of pasta or undercooked ground provisions.
“When I first went in, it wasn’t that bad, but I think they changed the caterer and that new person has been taking vegetarian food most days. It’s just like a little bit of macaroni in a small box or channa or maybe four pieces of very dry provision, just like that…It was horrible and it is getting worse,” she lamented.
With these meals, no form of added supplements or vitamins are being administered. She stated that some persons have been at the facility for over one month, because they are forced to share a small space, causing recovered patients to be re-infected. One of her relatives would have been tested several times, with the results rotating between negative and positive.
There was one situation where the tests were conducted at the facility and patients were waiting for one week to receive their results. Guyana Times was also informed that health authorities are reluctant to provide documents proving that these persons are infected. Instead, the results are delivered verbally.
Claims of Wi-Fi and other services at the facility were also deflated by patients.
