Dajabón hospital director addresses hygiene concerns, pending services

Dr. Ángela Arias Castro, director of the Matías Ramón Mella Provincial Hospital in Dajabón, has refuted allegations of widespread hygiene issues at the facility. She attributed some of the cleanliness concerns to the improper disposal of waste by certain patients and their accompanying visitors, rather than a complete lack of cleaning efforts.

Arias Castro's response comes after images circulated showing a woman sweeping an area where a relative was admitted, sparking concern among residents about the state of hygiene in a recently inaugurated hospital. The director explained that while cleaning staff perform their duties in the mornings and afternoons, the actions of some individuals who discard bottles, papers, and other refuse on the floor, despite the availability of trash bins, contribute to the problem.

"We can clean the hospital, but if people do not cooperate, a dirty area may appear at any moment before the staff passes by again," Arias Castro stated, appealing for cooperation from patients and visitors to help maintain the hospital's facilities. While denying that the hospital is in a state of neglect, she acknowledged the need to increase cleaning staff and mentioned the recent hiring of new employees, including two who will receive specialized training in Mao.

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We can clean the hospital, but if people do not cooperate, a dirty area may appear at any moment before the staff passes by again.

Regarding pending services, Arias Castro addressed concerns about the isolation area and the hemodialysis unit. She assured that the isolation area's situation is being resolved and that an announcement will be made once it begins receiving patients. For the hemodialysis unit, technicians are actively working on final adjustments, and she expressed optimism about its imminent launch, though without providing a specific date. The hemodialysis unit's activation is highly anticipated by kidney patients in Dajabón, who currently face long and costly journeys to receive treatment elsewhere.

Arias Castro also clarified a recent power outage that briefly disrupted hospital operations. She explained that the issue stemmed from the energy transfer system, possibly due to an electrical surge, rather than a fault in the power plant itself. The National Health Service has reportedly dispatched equipment to ensure service continuity during future interruptions.

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Very soon it will be operational.