 The huts, which by now had caneite ceilings, were suffering from rot and white ants.However, the cost of fixing the system, or replacing the whole complex, was seen as prohibitive, especially since all special hospitals for Hansen's disease had been phased out by 1970, and there was no medical reason to rebuild at Fantome.However, it was claimed that some former patients were staying on as staff on Fantome Island to avoid the temptations of alcohol.