Madam Speaker, the Long Mountain Hospital is classified as a district hospital falling under SSRN regional hospital and caters for a population of 28,233. In regard to part (a) of the question, the hospital is open seven days a week. The sorted outpatient department and dental services operate from 09.00 hrs in the morning to 16.00 hrs on weekdays and 09.00 hrs in the morning to noon on Saturdays. The haemodialysis unit operates from 08.00 hrs in the morning to 9.00 p.m. during weekdays and from 08.00 hrs in the morning to noon on Saturdays. The Accident and Emergency Department and the Nénuphar Rehabilitation Centre, where patients 18 years and above suffering from drug addiction are catered for, operate only on a 24/7 basis.

69 Madam Speaker, in regard to part (b) of the question, the following facilities and services available at the hospital are – (i) Accident and emergency; (ii) Ambulance services; (iii) Dietician clinic; (iv) Endocrinology clinic; (v) Haemodialysis; (vi) Metadone clinic; (vii) The outpatient department serves chronic and stable patients referred to from SSRN for follow-up care in these departments, which include Cardiology, Chest Diseases, Dermatology, Diabetology, ENT, General Medicine, General Surgery, NCD, Obstetrics, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Physical Medicine, Psychiatry, eight pharmacy services, 9 Rheumatology clinic, 10 tobacco cessation clinics, 11 vaccinations for children and adults, and 12 well-baby clinics. In 2022 and 2023, the hospital treated 54,358 and 66,378 patients respectively. Madam Speaker, we have noted that the pharmacy department has been operating from 08.00 hrs in the morning till 10.00 hrs for a long period. Patients who arrive after 08.00 hrs in the evening either obtain their medicines from SSRN or return the next morning. The option of providing 24/7 pharmacy services is being looked into. Madam Speaker, I am further apprised that the following shortcomings were noted during a site visit carried out recently – (a) The yard requires proper upkeep and the regional health services administrator has been urged to address this matter urgently. Road markings, curb painting and parking works are in progress. Additionally, there is a need for lopping and trimming of branches for which approval has already been granted by the conservator of forest and funds have accordingly been earmarked. The parking facilities are being looked into – these 47 additional new parking slots and the reinstatement of 20 existing parking spaces. A survey has been

70 completed, and funds will be allocated once the Ministry of National Infrastructure and Community Development provides its recommendation. (b) The exterior painting of the hospital has been completed, while interior painting is ongoing and is expected to be finished by the end of December. (c) Roof leakages at the Nénuphar Detoxification Centre and haemodialysis unit are being repaired, and works are expected to be completed by the end of the month. There is a defective air conditioning unit in the pharmacy store as well as in the consultation room No. 1, which are currently under evaluation. Additionally, there are no air conditioning units in three other consultation rooms, which is being looked into by the concerned head of units. (d) The old wooden building housing the linen room needs to be demolished. The construction of a new linen shed had been included in the list of projects submitted to the Project Implementation Unit.

Yes!

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Do not touch! Do not touch!

La région de Montagne Longue qui fait souvent face à des coupures d’électricité et l’hôpital de Montagne Longue n’étant pas équipés d’un générateur, may I ask the hon. Minister whether he will look into the matter so that improvement can be brought to this hospital?

Okay, I will look into the issue.

Thank you. Maybe I shall guide you as to the use of the mike. Even I did a mistake. It cannot cross in my case. You should not touch the mike; you just speak. C’est très très performant. Just speak.

C’est sensible!

Sensible, mais ça peut être pire si vous touchez. Je sais que c’est très tentant de le faire, mais ne le faites pas, s’il vous plaît. Hon. Third Member for Rivière des Anguilles and Souillac!

Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. I B/75.

71

(Interruptions)

I do not know what is going on, on this side. We did not hear you. Say it again. PUBLIC PLACES - LIFT & ESCALATORS’ SAFETY – INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE