Serious issues surrounding the ablution facilities and plumbing works in all wards at Rarotonga Hospital are now being urgently addressed, Cook Islands Minister of Health Rose Brown says.

Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) has contracted Landholdings Ltd to undertake the repairs.

In a statement, Brown has confirmed there have been reports of leaking water in the bathrooms of all the wards at Rarotonga Hospital.

“Te Marae Ora is doing all it can to accommodate the male and female patients who on occasion have had to share ablution facilities,” she says.

“I expect to receive an update on the repairs by the end of next week.”

In late January, Te Marae Ora - Cook Islands Ministry of Health (TMO) raised concerns about the ablutions in the maternity ward, with major plumbing issues affecting the health and safety of patients, staff and visitors to the ward.

There were complaints received of patients and staff slipping on wet surfaces, fortunately without any serious injury, the statement said.

The same concerns or complaints were also reported to the Minister of Health’s Support Office.

Immediately following this, and with the support of CIIC and TMO, Landholdings Ltd was contracted to remedy the issue.

In April, significant water leaks were reported in the Medical and Surgical wards – both occurring simultaneously.

Again working in collaboration with TMO, CIIC engaged with Landholdings Ltd to address and resolve the issues.

Subsequently to this stage of works, similar issues have also arisen in the Paediatrics ward, which as a result, will see all wards and plumbing issues addressed.

Minister Brown says material supply and shipping has hindered progress however work continues nonetheless.

“The Medical, Surgical and now Paediatrics wards remain in use and provide critical health services for the community,” she says.

“There is no opportunity to relocate services to another suitable building site, so community health services must continue with minimal disruption.”

Bathroom facilities are a key component to the ongoing operations and delivery of health services at the Rarotonga hospital site, Brown says.

The issues identified in the Paediatrics ward were unforeseen and only discovered as work progressed in the neighbouring Surgical ward.

All work is now anticipated to be completed by the end of October.

“It is imperative to proceed with this work immediately to further protect and reduce the risk of injury to users and to further protect the safety of users of the facilities,” Minister Brown says.

“Health and safety of all patients, visitors and TMO staff is and remains paramount and we thank the patients, TMO staff and members of the public for their patience while work continues.”