–M&CC wants them inside hospital compound

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) does not know for sure if the vendors outside the Georgetown Hospital are registered, and in possession of the necessary food handler’s and other certification.   The matter was raised at the statutory meeting on Monday when

Mayor Patricia Chase-Green observed that back in 1978, just a single vendor operated outside of the hospital as compared to today when there are about 13.  At least three such vendors, she said, are positioned in such a way as to cause an obstruction in the event of an emergency at the hospital.  She recalled how in the past, the hospital featured a canteen and a haberdashery shop that was a favourite with pregnant women.

“We’re the managers of this city,” the mayor said, adding that action needs to be taken on the matter.      She, however, wants to proceed with caution. “We should not deprive anyone of their livelihood; I’m not going to bulldoze anyone at this point,” she said.    She is suggesting that the hospital meets with the vendors, and possibly offer them a space within the hospital compound for them to carry on their business.

But this would require their being registered, and having the necessary licences in keeping with the rules governing vending.     Councillor Monica Thomas was of the opinion that even though the M&CC does not want to put anyone out of business, the matter is one that has to do with public health, and the Council has to take into account the environmental aspect of what is happening.     “Do they have the certificates? Are they eligible? Do they have their food handlers certificates? The Public Health Department needs to be more involved in this vending issue,” Thomas said.

Councillor Oscar Clarke, on the other hand, feels that institutions like the hospital ought to have canteens to be able to serve their staff and the public and not have them in the streets.     He noted that it is the M&CC that allowed this situation in the first place, and that council will have to take a formal decision to contact the hospital and other agencies guilty of the practice.