Health Ministry Responds To Claims Of ‘Hell-Hole’ Ward At Mount Carmel
A stir was caused on Malta’s online community by a Facebook post earlier this week claiming Mount Carmel Hospital’s Ward 8B is “a hell-hole and a national disgrace”. The post quoted claims made on popular Facebook group The Salott, describing the dire situation of the ward.
Mount Carmel Hospital in Attard was set up to assist people with mental health problems.
The person who first made the allegations said Ward 8B had absolutely no fans and people were being forced to sleep on a mattress on the floor. Furthermore, the ward reportedly had 19 people staying in five rooms and showers which weren’t working.
“Just because some of the people that frequent there don’t have the voice to speak out, doesn’t mean no one does!” the post concluded.
Another post which appeared online earlier this week quoted a historical book about medicine in Malta, which seemed to insinuate that when Mount Carmel welcomed its first patients over a century and a half ago, “it was already an outdated building and not fit for purpose.” The post went on to appeal to authorities, stating “listen to suggestions and don’t skimp on the essentials”.
Lovin Malta reached out to the Health Ministry for a comment on the issue. “Ward 8B is divided in two sections, a Male and Female sections with 5 rooms in each section,” the Ministry said. “At present, there are a total of 8 patients in this Ward, 5 males and 3 females patients. This ward has highly volatile occupancy, in both female and male sections. The occupancy fluctuates heavily.”
The Health Ministry went on to explain the situation with the fans and showers in the ward. “Ceiling fans are found in each room and along the corridors, where one can find also air conditioners. Currently, the shower at the male side is being refurbished and all patients are using the shower on the female side. The male shower will be fully functioning again as of early next week. Works on the female shower will follow. The whole ward is in the process to be totally refurbished.”
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