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We didn’t know it was that bad - Eldemire Shearer 
Friday, 24 July 2009 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } 
Picture courtesy of Everard Owens.
At least one state body has accepted responsibility for the unsanitary conditions at the Port Antonio Infirmary in Portland and is admitting to a lack of oversight on its part.
Chairman of the Board of Supervision which has oversight responsibility for infirmaries, Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer, says the body is to be partly blamed for the poor conditions which inmates have had to endure.
However, while accepting responsibility, Professor Eldemire-Shearer says a lack of communication has also compounded the problem.
"Why hadn't the board been told about this ... it is not an excuse but it would have put more pressure on trying to raise money privately. We get a monthly report but the state to which everything had deteriorated was not emphasized in the report," she said Thursday evening on Beyond the Headlines, RJR's daily current affairs programme.
Professor Eldemire Shearer added that following discussions with Prime Minister Bruce Golding, an audit is being carried out at each institution to address the problems which exist.
Corrective measures are also being implemented to address some of the alarming discoveries made during a recent investigation at the facility.
The poor conditions at the infirmary came to light after a damning report by the Public HealthAuthority was presented to the Portland Parish Council.
The report highlighted non-functioning toilet facilities, fly infestation, insect droppings among food, uncovered water containers and overflowing grease traps.
Unwanted household items, tyres and old zinc are also strewn all over the compound.
A full report is expected to be submitted to the Local government[COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important][/COLOR][/COLOR] Authority in two weeks.
Infirmary residents being beaten
Meanwhile an investigation has been launched into the alleged beating of a resident at the Port Antonio Infirmary by staff members.
Professor Eldemire Shearer said she has seen a preliminary report on the issue but according to her, while the incident is unfortunate it is not commonplace.
"I can assure the country that it is not wide spread and we will deal with the incident. Residents reported the matter to the police and we will follow through on it," she said.
Friday, 24 July 2009 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } Picture courtesy of Everard Owens.Chairman of the Board of Supervision which has oversight responsibility for infirmaries, Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer, says the body is to be partly blamed for the poor conditions which inmates have had to endure.
However, while accepting responsibility, Professor Eldemire-Shearer says a lack of communication has also compounded the problem.
"Why hadn't the board been told about this ... it is not an excuse but it would have put more pressure on trying to raise money privately. We get a monthly report but the state to which everything had deteriorated was not emphasized in the report," she said Thursday evening on Beyond the Headlines, RJR's daily current affairs programme.
Professor Eldemire Shearer added that following discussions with Prime Minister Bruce Golding, an audit is being carried out at each institution to address the problems which exist.
Corrective measures are also being implemented to address some of the alarming discoveries made during a recent investigation at the facility.
The poor conditions at the infirmary came to light after a damning report by the Public HealthAuthority was presented to the Portland Parish Council.
The report highlighted non-functioning toilet facilities, fly infestation, insect droppings among food, uncovered water containers and overflowing grease traps.
Unwanted household items, tyres and old zinc are also strewn all over the compound.
A full report is expected to be submitted to the Local government[COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important][/COLOR][/COLOR] Authority in two weeks.
Infirmary residents being beaten
Meanwhile an investigation has been launched into the alleged beating of a resident at the Port Antonio Infirmary by staff members.Professor Eldemire Shearer said she has seen a preliminary report on the issue but according to her, while the incident is unfortunate it is not commonplace.
"I can assure the country that it is not wide spread and we will deal with the incident. Residents reported the matter to the police and we will follow through on it," she said.