DETERMINED to stamp out vandalism to its elevators, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is installing closed circuit television cameras inside the lifts.
Chief executive officer (CEO) of the QEH, Dr Dexter James, said the cameras could be installed by next month.
“We have to put in the necessary surveillance to ensure that there is no continued vandalism to these elevators, and any member of the public found vandalising, damaging or doing anything untoward to these elevators will face the full prosecution of the law,” James toldWEEKEND NATION.
“We have information that some persons will stamp on the doors and deface the elevators. This can’t be allowed to continue.”
James acknowledged that a combination of poor installation and acts of vandalism had shortened the life of some of the elevators.
“An elevator door was not built to be stamped on. We have to assume that the cumulative effect of stamping on the elevator door along with the installation, may have contributed towards the failure of some of the elevators,” James said.
Government was spending more than $100 000 to have two of its elevators repaired and to this end, personnel from Puerto Rico are arriving here on Monday to commence work over a three-week period.
“We are spending too much money to make this hospital, a first-class facility. For instance, the repairs to the two elevators will cost us US$56 800,” he said.
The elevators (1 and 2) to be fixed, are those closest to the Accident & Emergency Department.
“It is our intent to have those elevators certified, not only by the Ministry of Labour, but we are also going to have them certified in accordance with international codes in the United States.
“This time, we want to make sure that the elevators are up to international standards so we give the public a measure of assurance that we are trying to mitigate any malfunction of the elevators,” the CEO said.
