The Tree Top Hospital had to dismiss about 25 staff after the agreement with the government of Maldives to offer the establishment as the national Covid-19 treatment facility.
This was revealed by the hospital’s CEO, David Feinberg during a press briefing at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) on Saturday afternoon.
As such, CEO David revealed that due to the national health emergency in quarantine, the hospital business has reduced by 70% and accordingly, it was necessary for the hospital to terminate some staff.
The 180-bed capacity hospital was converted into the national Covid-19 treatment center after an agreement with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on April 26 and David said that the since then, it was anticipated that the hospital would no longer require certain staff because they would no longer be serving the general public as the doors will be closed for public service.
It was anticipated that once treetop was converted into a Covid-19 treatment center, there would not be need for certain staff because it would no longer be serving the general public, no one can walk in the door, it is now closed. Unfortunately we had to make about 25 staff redundant”David Feinberg, Tree Top Hospital's CEO
However, David noted that the legal process was followed in the termination process and the redundant staff was paid their dues.
They were also reassured that as soon as the Covid-19 pandemic emergency is over, “they will be the first to be re-employed”.
Currently, 500 staff are employed at the hospital out of which some are accommodated at the establishment and others reside in capital Malé City or Hulhumalé.
David revealed that the hospital consists of two main buildings, the hospital building and a support building that is connected by a 100-meter-long walkway. The latter accommodates over 200 staff and has support services including equipment, utilities, backup generators as well as office spaces and recreational rooms for the staff.
These buildings have round-the-clock CCTV cameras and security personnel to ensure the safety of the hospital staff, added David.
Also speaking at the press, Dr. Amr Safwat, a specialized consultant in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, stated that the capacity of the hospital is divided into three stages, which consist of 15 ICU beds, 15 pre-ICU beds and 15 post-ICU beds. The hospital also has the capacity to serve all patients in these stages, as once, said Dr. Amr.
