THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is among the latest to have benefited from the major clean-up of the city, bringing a breath of fresh air to the environment and a much-deserved face-lift to the landscape in that part of Cummingsburg. On Tuesday, a team of about 25 labourers deployed by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, effected major desilting works to the main concrete drain along New Market Street, bounded to the

east by East Street and to the west, Thomas Street.

The transformation brought about was literally unbelievable. However, the contractors and team leaders explained that the task of cleaning the drain was made especially difficult, since huge portions of builders’ waste were thrown into the drain, effectively blocking the water from escaping out of the area. Hence, each time there was a downpour; the water overflowed the pavement and flooded the hospital compound.
They also detected bags of sand and layers of boards in some parts of the foundation on the road, and explained that it meant that whenever the road-repair crew came to fill potholes or raise the level of the road, they just deposited their stuff on the roadway without removing the sandbags and wood before effecting repairs.
A word of advice or caution coming from the workforce: “It would be a good idea for the administration of the GPHC to set standards for the vendors selling outside the hospital gate to conform to. They should not litter and likewise encourage their customers to do likewise. There should also be bins of adequate sizes, set up in conspicuous spots for the disposal of wrappers, food boxes and beverage bottles.”
The workers engaged in cleaning up the environment claimed that much of what was found in the drains constituted refuse coming from the vending stands outside the Accident and Emergency Unit’s main gate on New Market Street.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, Mr. Michael Khan and other hospital officials visited the worksite where they inspected the work being done and commended the team for the good work they delivered, and moreso in a timely manner.

By Shirley Thomas