The opening ceremony for the new mortuary facility at the Princess Alexandra Hospital took place on Thursday, April 2nd, marking a significant development in the Department of Health Services in Anguilla.
This new on-site facility represents an important step in enhancing healthcare infrastructure, ensuring the dignified, respectful, and secure handling of deceased patients immediately after death.
Pathologist Dr. Shubhakar Karra Paul expressed his satisfaction with the commissioning of the facility, noting that it is a place where the truth about a death can be determined.
[The Honourable] Minister responsible for Health Mr. Cardigan Connor highlighted the fact that the facility meets key requirements, including a secure and controlled environment for post-mortem examinations. It is also equipped to support forensic investigations and features robust infection prevention and control systems, including negative pressure ventilation.
Additionally, a dedicated vehicle has been commissioned to support mortuary transportation services. Acting Commissioner, Malcolm Webster, stated that this vehicle will be used specifically for mortuary operations, thus strengthening the hospital’s capacity to manage these services efficiently.
The Department of Health Services also acknowledged the continued support of local undertakers with private morgues, who assist and provide guidance in the operation of the hospital’s mortuary services.
The commissioning ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting, attended by members of Government, including [the] Honourable Premier Cora Richardson-Hodge, Commissioner of Police Robert Clark, along with health officials, management, and staff of the Department of Health Services.
By: Rickiell Hodge (Director of Media and Communication Government of Anguilla.
