St. Joseph Mercy launches $20M COVID-19 testing and treatment centre
The St. Joseph Mercy Hospital (SJMH) yesterday announced its launch of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing and treatment facility at the St. Paul Retreat Centre at Vryheid’s Lust, on the East Coast of Demerara.
The new “COVID-19 Testing, Treatment and Isolation Centre” meets all national criteria for such a facility and was licensed by Guyana’s Ministry of Public Health after a stringent inspection of the premises and evaluation of the services offered, the a hospital said in a statement yesterday.
The hospital noted that it spent GY$20 million to develop the centre as an all-inclusive COVID-19 facility that embraces the unique needs, challenges and circumstances of patients, and gives them the opportunity to get testing and treatment.
It is equipped with 37 beds, a broad system of air conditioning units and an adequate number of sanitary blocks, while also meeting ministry air-quality requirements. The facility is also staffed with medical personnel who are fully trained and equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) necessary to effectively prevent contagion.
The hospital explained in its statement that persons who test positive at the Centre and decide to be admitted there would not be required to pay for the initial test. All tests required prior to discharge will attract a fee.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of SJMH Deborrah Ramsay was reported as saying in the statement that the hospital was keenly aware that COVID-19 testing and treatment can be an overwhelming and unknown territory for many persons, and wanted to make its highly skilled personnel and medical resources available to help control the spread of the disease in Guyana, and assist those who contract it.
Ramsay assured that the hospital will be providing top-rated medical products, amenities and services geared toward efficient screening for the virus. It was also disclosed that when necessary, the hospital will provide the most comfortable environment for persons, who require institutional isolation so they can survive and thrive.
Ramsay also noted that the Catholic Church of Guyana promptly joined the hospital’s cause, and Bishop Francis Alleyne of the Diocese of Georgetown allowed the SJMH to use one of the church’s buildings to house the COVID19 centre.
“We are thankful to the Catholic Church of Guyana for making this spacious facility available for this purpose. We are also happy to assure our patients that COVID-19 patients are not being treated at our institution in Kingston and therefore there is no need to worry as it relates to accessing treatment and care for other health related concerns,” she was quoted as saying.
The hospital referred inquiries to Centre Manager Jerri Dias (220-2959) or Ramsay (227-7139) or to the email address admin1@sjmh.org.gy.