Bed Bug Nightmare Continues at Betty Wells Clinic, Medical Association Warns Action May Be Taken
The bed bug situation at the Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic appears far from resolved, with healthcare workers continuing to report sightings of the pests and the Saint Lucia Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA) warning that it may be forced to take action to protect its members. On Monday, a healthcare worker told Saint Lucia Daily […] The post Bed Bug Nightmare Continues at Betty Wells Clinic, Medical Association Warns Action May Be Taken appeared first on Saint Lucia Daily Post.
Black News 
The bed bug situation at the Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic appears far from resolved, with healthcare workers continuing to report sightings of the pests and the Saint Lucia Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA) warning that it may be forced to take action to protect its members.
On Monday, a healthcare worker told Saint Lucia Daily Post that nurses remain frustrated by what they describe as an ineffective response to the infestation, claiming that heat and steam treatments have failed to eliminate the problem.
According to the employee, some nurses stayed away from work over the weekend and others have been forced to stand for extended periods because they are afraid of sitting on furniture where bed bugs may be present.
“We cannot take it anymore,” the worker said, alleging that staff members continue to be bitten while carrying out their duties.
The concerns have been echoed by the Saint Lucia Medical and Dental Association, which says it has remained in constant communication with affected healthcare workers.
“We’ve been in constant communication with our members and we are receiving reports that bed bugs are still being sighted at the Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic,” the Association said in a statement provided to Saint Lucia Daily Post.
The Association revealed that two of its members were reportedly bitten by bed bugs over the weekend and described the situation as unacceptable.
“We cannot have our physicians and nurses who are tasked with taking care of the general public being subjected to unsafe conditions, certainly not to that level,” the Association stated.
According to the SLMDA, one healthcare professional reportedly developed hives after being exposed to the infestation and has since been unable to work.
The organization warned that definitive action may be required if the situation is not addressed urgently, noting that healthcare workers should not be expected to provide essential services while working under conditions they consider unsafe.
The Association also used the opportunity to highlight what it described as longstanding concerns surrounding unpaid honorarium payments owed to district medical officers. According to the SLMDA, commitments were made last October that the payments would be processed, but the matter remains unresolved.
“We can’t expect everything from our members and nothing is given back,” the Association said. “Essentially we are here to serve the public. We are here to do the best we can. We know the circumstances are never going to be ideal, but we absolutely can do better.”
The latest developments come weeks after reports first surfaced of a bed bug infestation at the facility. Healthcare workers maintain that the problem persists despite remediation efforts.
During inquiries conducted by Saint Lucia Daily Post, a healthcare worker indicated that the issue appears confined to the Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic and not the La Clery Health Centre, where similar concerns had previously been raised.
This is a developing story.
The post Bed Bug Nightmare Continues at Betty Wells Clinic, Medical Association Warns Action May Be Taken appeared first on Saint Lucia Daily Post.
