The Editor, Sir:

On September 24, I arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport to attend my father's funeral and was greeted by two women handing out H1N1 information, which I thought was a very prudent move.

The funeral was September 26 and we went to the Registrar General's Department St Ann's Bay office the following Monday, September 28, at 1:35 p.m. to submit the 'pink slip' for a death certificate. The ticket number being served at the time was No. 40, my mother drew ticket No. 30 so we prepared for the long wait. Fortunately, not everyone had stayed and by 3 p.m. the doors were closed promptly. The room was still relatively full and all the people who had waited outside in the 39 degrees C due to lack of space came inside.

Now, my first impression upon arrival was that this facility was far too small to serve that region of the island. There was no clear definitions of space (no signs of what business was transacted there or processed). Actually, there were three booths clearly labelled for customer service reps, one manager's office, two cashier booths and two desks with the word 'Registration' above (of what I'm yet to know, as no one sat there until 3 p.m.) There were very informative signs outside detailing the dress code permitted on the premises and of no cellphones being allowed inside the office.

The waiting area was relatively clean except for the dead cockroaches under the chairs. The room with so many people was extremely hot and even though I asked repeatedly for them to increase the coolness of the office it fell on the deaf ears of the security guard doubling as receptionist.

It was not until I overheard an elderly woman asking an employee about drinking water and seeing him show her the empty water cooler with no cups that I started to get annoyed with the entire situation. Immediately, I was concerned about this woman's health. I went to the restroom only to make a U-turn as there was no toilet paper or soap (empty dispenser) to wash my hands. Once again I had the flashback to the evening of my arrival with the H1N1 information.

Overall, the service of the employees was professional and courteous and this was surprising as they are terribly understaffed and overworked. The facility itself needs attention. However, with H1N1 being so prevalent these days, shouldn't hand soap/sanitisers be in public government places that see such volumes of people daily?

I am, etc.,

NICOLE CLARKE-HEADMAN

nicole_hedman88@yahoo.ca