New children’s hospital gets boost from int’l agency
THE SIGNING of a memorandum of understanding for technical assistance between the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) will assist the ministry’s plans to provide another hospital in western Jamaica geared towards children and adolescents and assist in strengthening the infrastructure, including medical equipment of five hospitals, said Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton.
“I am pleased that this signing will assist the Ministry of Health’s plan to provide another hospital in the western region geared towards the health needs of our children and adolescents,” stated Tufton at yesterday’s signing at the prime minister’s office in Kingston.
“Both projects fall in line with the ministry’s overarching goal of developing a comprehensive 10-year strategic development plan for the health sector as part of integrated health-service delivery framework.”
The new hospital facility, to be constructed with the help of China, will provide 220 additional beds, among other services, including specialised care for children.
“This facility will also be an enhancement to our tourism product, with specialised care for children being offered to this sector,” the minister noted.
The hospitals to benefit from an upgrade include Spanish Town, from Type B to Type A; May Pen, from Type C to Type B; and the St Ann’s Bay Regional and Mandeville Regional, from Type B to Type A.
STUDY OF KPH
Tufton noted that a study to assess the state of infrastructure, organisation and services of the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) is to be undertaken. A similar assessment will take place into the feasibility of the renovation, expansion and reorganisation of KPH to enhance the quality of services and its efficiency.
He said the strategic plan’s objective is to provide direction to the ministry, which is aligned with Jamaica’s commitment to universal access to health and health-care coverage.