Fondation Hirondelle

Cleaners attached to Freetown’s biggest maternal health facility- the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) or Cottage, on Friday went on strike, protesting against the non-payment of a four month salary backlog.

The angry janitors littered the hospital with piles of garbage, causing grave inconvenience for patients and the medical staff.

The porters said their action was to register their disappointment over the Freetown City Council’s insensitivity to their plight.

Spokesman for the striking workers, Mohamed Kamara told CTN that the City Council issued them with two cheques a few days to Christmas, but they were embarrassed when the cheques were presented for encashment and they discovered that the Council’s bank account was in the red.

The stench emitting from the filth at the hospital, was unbearable for the patients, hospital workers and visitors.

During a closed door meeting with the disgruntled cleaners, the Minister of State, Health Mohamed Daudis Koroma appealed to the striking workers to remove the piles of garbage at the hospital and return to work.

Mr Koroma promised that the matter would be resolved next week.

The Freetown City Council officials were not available for comment. Metropolitan officers attached to the council told CTN that the entire management was on holiday.