Elevators at Kingston Public, National Chest and Spanish Town Hospitals to be Replaced
By: , November 2, 2017The Key Point:
Photo: Dave Reid
Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (centre); Regional Director, South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), Maureen Golding (second right), and Chief Executive Officer, National Health Fund, Everton Anderson (second left) affix their signatures to contracts for the replacement of elevators at three of the island’s hospitals during a contract-signing ceremony at the Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine on November 1. The three hospitals are Kingston Public, Spanish Town and National Chest. Others (from left) are Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Sancia Bennett Templer; and Managing Director, Jamaica Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Limited, Darren Moore.The Facts
- The hospitals are Kingston Public and National Chest in Kingston and Spanish Town in St. Catherine.
- Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, who signed the contracts at the Spanish Town Hospital on November 1, said the replacement of the elevators will provide critical logistics support to the hospitals.
The Full Story
Within the next six months, three of the island’s hospitals should have new elevators, following the signing of contracts valued at $44.9 million for the replacement of the lifts.
The hospitals are Kingston Public and National Chest in Kingston and Spanish Town in St. Catherine.
Malfunctioning of elevators at the facilities has severely hampered surgeries and movement of patients.
The scope of works, which includes removing old components from existing elevator shafts and installing new mechanisms, is expected to significantly impact the quality of care the hospitals are able to provide.
Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, who signed the contracts at the Spanish Town Hospital on November 1, said the replacement of the elevators will provide critical logistics support to the hospitals.
He noted that the improvements are in keeping with Government’s efforts to upgrade the island’s health sector. “Public health is fundamental to economic growth and development,” he said.
Dr. Tufton said that regular maintenance will ensure that the elevators perform efficiently.
Meanwhile, Regional Director, South East Regional Health Authority, Maureen Golding, encouraged patients to exercise tolerance during the installation period, while Chief Executive Officer, Kingston Public and Victoria Jubilee Hospitals, Errol Greene, expressed thanks for the undertaking. “We are grateful for what is to come,” he added.
Senior Medical Officer at the Spanish Town Hospital, Dr. Ediel Brown, said the installation of the new elevators is “absolutely critical and is coming at the most appropriate time”.
The elevator replacements are being funded by grants from the National Health Fund (NHF).
The works will be undertaken by Jamaica Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Limited.