Acting Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Kenneth George (second from left) holds one of the caution health posters located in one of the rooms at the QEH Infectious Disease Building. He joined Chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland (left); Director of Nursing Services at QEH, Henderson Pinder (centre); Head of Infection Control, Infectious Diseases at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Dr. Corey Forde (second from right) and Minister of Health and Wellness, Lt. Col. Jeffrey D. Bostic (right) for a tour of the QEH Infectious Disease Building yesterday.
One senior medical doctor is reassuring the Barbadian public that measures have been put in place for any eventuality and the risk is low as it relates to Coronavirus.
Head of Infection Control, Infectious Diseases at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Dr. Corey Forde gave this reassurance during a tour of the QEH Infectious Disease Building yesterday.
In his interview, Dr. Forde added that although the risk is low, Barbados must be prepared.
In the retrofitted facility, the doctor explained that the building is secure and the unique rooms push air out of the space so that infected particles are filtered out. The building is located in the area known as the Enmore Compound, Martindale’s Road, St. Michael.
“We have our rooms which are secured and we are able to hold a capacity of up to six patients…” said Dr. Forde.
He noted that staff members are being prepared for any eventuality and the type of equipment that will be used in this particular scenario is not like what would be used in the management of the Ebola disease. He explained that it is quite similar to the instruments being used within the facility and he emphasised the importance of training and retraining staff members.
Dr. Forde said the medical officials are watching the international incidences on a daily basis and having briefings and discussions as it relates to the various medical issues. He added it is important to maintain the interaction with the public. Dr. Forde also commented on the impact of social media and how it affects the emotions of the public as it relates to the news on the Coronavirus.
“For people, I know there is often the tendency for when things are new, things are in social media, that people become afraid. It is okay to be afraid but it is better to be prepared,” said Dr. Forde.
The Head of Infection Control, Infectious Diseases told the media that a week before the international incident was announced, the QEH was already preparing for the event as the medical institution had an indication of it because of its international contacts.
