Ankara: Many French hospitals become 'greenhouses' during heat waves because they lack adequate cooling and ventilation systems, a spokesperson for a national nurses' union said Tuesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Thierry Amouroux, spokesperson for the Syndicat National des Professionnels Infirmiers (SNPI), explained that many hospitals, constructed between the 1960s and 1980s, have transformed into 'greenhouses' amid rising temperatures. He highlighted that temperatures in some hospital rooms soar to 36C to 38C (97F to 100F) due to the absence of air conditioning and adequate ventilation systems.

Amouroux pointed out that many hospital windows cannot be fully opened and facilities often lack shutters or blinds, exacerbating the situation. He emphasized the serious impact these conditions have on patients' health, stating that some patients' conditions deteriorate rapidly and may even lead to death, which he deemed unacceptable.

He expressed skepticism over the government's announcement to deliver 30,000 air-conditioning units to hospitals. Amouroux questioned the specifics of the equipment and the logistics of its distribution, noting that the number of units would be inadequate for the numerous hospitals and nursing homes across France. He remarked that while 30,000 air conditioners might seem substantial, it equates to only two or three units per facility.

Amouroux urged for a broader investment to adapt healthcare infrastructure to the increasingly frequent heat waves, stressing the need for a long-term solution to the problem.