Healthcare workers at an operation department of Drottning Silvia's children's hospital in Gothenburg have reportedly been experiencing illness for an extended period while on the job. According to reports from Aftonbladet citing Göteborgs-Posten, the department is now being evacuated from its premises.
The Swedish Association of Health Professionals (Vårdförbundet) states that 16 members of the staff have sought medical care. Safety representative Taru Kontio told GP that affected workers have experienced asthmatic and allergic symptoms including runny nose, itchy eyes, severe headaches, scalp itching, eczema, feverishness, cough, hoarseness, and nasal congestion.
We do not question the experienced problems but we have not identified the cause yet.
The operation department has been relocated to another part of the hospital while the old premises are scheduled to be demolished and sanitized. Samples are also being taken to investigate the cause of the health issues.
Jonas Nordin, area manager for Västra Götaland's property organization, stated: 'We do not question the experienced problems but we have not identified the cause yet.' The investigation into the source of the health complaints affecting hospital staff continues.
affected workers have experienced asthmatic and allergic symptoms including runny nose, itchy eyes, severe headaches, scalp itching, eczema, feverishness, cough, hoarseness, and nasal congestion.