By George Henry, Gleaner WriterSPALDINGS, Clarendon:
THE GLEANER has learnt that the Cuban nurse who was stabbed at the nurse's hostel on the compound of the Percy Junor Hospital, Spaldings, Manchester has been transferred to another hospital.
It is understood that despite positive efforts by the hospital's administration to address the security concerns there and, although the nurse wanted to stay at Percy Junor, personnel at the Cuban Embassy were uncomfortable with her staying there, as they were not certain that a man who was held as a suspect in connection with the incident was the one responsible.
WILLINGNESS TO STAY
A reliable source at the institution told The Gleaner that Nartiza Napolas was transferred to another location, over a week ago, but that her two remaining colleagues have expressed a willingness to stay there.
According to the Spaldings police, about 8:30 on Wednesday morning, a man with a knife went to the nurse's quarters, knocked on a door and awakened the Cuban nurse who proceeded to open the door.
It is understood that when the door was opened, the criminal attempted to cut her in the face and in an attempt to escape from being cut in the face a hand was used to block the slash and she was stabbed.
The police reported that after the man inflicted the wound to the nurse's hand, an alarm was made and he ran. The police also reported that incident followed another involving the same nurse at the nurse's quarters at the hospital.
It is understood that on Monday evening August 4, a report was made to the Spaldings police that at 7:30 p.m. a man entered the room occupied by Miss Napolas and stole an undetermined sum of money. When Calvin Sutherland, the Acting Regional Manager for the Southern Regional Health Authority, was contacted for comments, he confirmed what our source had said. He noted that the nurse was transferred to another hospital, but was unable to disclose the location for security reasons.
BEST THING
Mr. Sutherland stated that the relocation of the nurse was done because it was thought that it was not the best thing to have her remain in the environment of the Percy Junor Hospital.
He noted that the nurse requested that she be sent elsewhere in an effort to have her returned to a normal peace of mind and to continue functioning in an atmosphere where she would not have to be looking over her shoulders.
The acting Regional Manager pointed out however that the other two nurses were still at the hospital, but that there were plans afoot to have them rotated as well. He also dispelled rumours that the attack was specifically on Cuban nurses at the hospital.
When CEO for the hospital, Stanhope Scott, was contacted for comments, following both incidents he said that the three Cubans had indicated that they were very happy to be at the Percy Junor Hospital, because of the good and friendly relationship they have enjoyed among not only the other hospital workers, but also with the people of the area and those they have had to attend to over the past five months.
The hospital CEO told The Gleaner that new measures had been implemented, including the hiring of an additional security guard who was assigned specifically to the nurse's hostel.
Following investigations by the police, it is understood that a man was held as a suspect. It is not clear if he has been charged.
