The results of research conducted by Victoria University of New Zealand regarding the Tupua Tamasese Meaole (TTM) National Hospital do not come as a surprise. This has been public knowledge for some time.

The results say the condition of the hospital is deteriorating and poses significant health risks to the public.

The research evaluates buildings' environmental impacts by examining their life cycles and associated environmental consequences.

It highlighted sewage leakages within the TTM hospital as a major public health threat, noting that hospitals should be places of healing, not sources of additional health risks.

Constructed by a Chinese company with a $75 million loan from China, the hospital opened in July 2011. However, it soon exhibited various issues, including flooring and tiling defects and leaks in the cooling system.

"Contaminated streams and sewage leaking into fresh water are also common problems observed in visited health facilities," the report states.

We have all heard about the $1 million for the renovation works at the hospital announced in the budget. There should be no bureaucratic tough line associated with this money because the state of the hospital is an ‘emergency’, all puns intended.

The Ministry of Health should be able to access this money and carry out all the work required to get the hospital into a facility that is fit for patients and staff.  The doctors and nurses are sacrificing a lot by working in an unfit working environment.

And they are the ones who face public scrutiny before anyone. A better health system was an election promise by this government and we not seeing much done to fulfill that.

If the government is saying this is a problem they inherited from the previous administration, then it is a very poor excuse. Most of them were part of the former administration. There has to be routine maintenance of important infrastructure and health is a very important infrastructure for any country. The nation cannot sit and wait on aid money for this.

The longer we wait, the worse the state of the hospitals becomes. The working conditions of the hospitals could also be a contributing factor in why many nurses and doctors choose to leave the public health system.

The Ministry of Health is trying but they cannot get the people of this country the best health service with one arm tied behind their backs.

Hospitals need to be clean and sanitary. It should be the last place patients get infections because it is where people come to get treatment for their ailing conditions.

Maintaining a hospital goes far beyond the realm of cleanliness and repairs—it plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and well-being of patients, healthcare professionals, and the entire healthcare ecosystem.

Hospital maintenance is essential for safeguarding patient safety. Regular inspections, equipment checks, and maintenance protocols help identify and address potential hazards, ensuring that medical facilities operate in compliance with safety standards. From electrical systems to plumbing, medical systems to medical equipment, proper maintenance minimises risks and creates a secure environment for patients.

Efficient hospital maintenance contributes to the smooth functioning of medical facilities.

Hospital-acquired infections pose a significant threat to patient health. Effective maintenance practices, including regular cleaning, sterilisation of equipment, and proper ventilation systems, play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infections.

Proactive maintenance can result in cost savings for hospitals in the long run. By identifying and addressing maintenance issues early on, facilities can prevent expensive repairs, extend the lifespan of equipment, and reduce energy consumption. Efficient maintenance practices contribute to financial sustainability, allowing healthcare institutions to allocate resources to patient care and other critical areas.

A well-maintained hospital is not only important for patients but for the staff who work there too. The government has a very big responsibility. They need to change the way they have treated the maintenance of hospitals.

The condition of the nation’s health system reflects the condition of the nation.