MOU Signed for Upgrading of Alexandria Community Hospital

The Ministry of Health and the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) are partnering with the two United States-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to upgrade the Alexandria Community Hospital in St. Ann to a primary care centre of excellence.

The entities are Mind, Body and Soul (MBS) Health Ministry and the Patel Foundation for Global Initiatives.

The project entails upgrading of the dental, pharmacy, maternal and diagnostic services.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the parties on Friday (January 8) to commence phase one of the project, which will include establishment of state-of-the-art dental and pharmacy facilities at a cost of some US$250,000.

Health Minister, Hon. Horace Dalley, in his remarks at the signing ceremony held on the grounds of the hospital, informed that the MoU follows a letter of intent signed with the entities in October last year to expand the services and quality of delivery at the public health facility.

He said the project is an excellent example of the kind of partnership that is needed to improve the health sector.

“When we sign this agreement today, it will signal the consummation of the partnership (between) Government and private sector,” Minister Dalley said, noting that the people of Alexandria and its environs will benefit from the undertaking.

The upgrading of the dental services will include the installation of three fully equipped dental examination rooms, X-ray equipment, computers with customised dental software, a storage and file room, patient restroom, sterilisation room as well as a dentist’s office, reception and waiting areas.

The pharmacy will be transformed in a state-of-the-art facility with computers, multi-purpose/meeting room and staff restroom.

Under phase two of the project, a maternity suite will be built with modern birthing, sluicing and reception areas, breastfeeding lounge, and an increase in the number and quality of beds.

The project will be completed with a comprehensive diagnostic centre and a public and private wing.

The Mind Body and Soul (MBS) Health Ministry, founded by Alexandria native Dr. Hillary Johnson Morgan, and her husband Horace Morgan, has been supporting the parish through medical and evangelical missions for some seven years.

The Patel Foundation for Global Initiatives, which is based in Tampa Bay, Florida, was founded by Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel, and helps to fund projects in the arts, culture, health and education.

The Morgans said the signing of the agreement is the realisation of a long-held dream for the upgrading of the community hospital to better serve the needs of residents of Alexandria and its environs.

“We found Dr. Kiran Patel (who) saw the passion we had for the people of Jamaica and for helping those in Jamaica, and he decided that he would help us,” he informed.

The resulting partnership, since 2012, has seen MBS functioning as liaison between the Patel Foundation, the NERHA and the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Johnson Morgan signed on behalf of the Patels, who are on a medical mission in El Salvador. She said they are committed to the uplifting of health care in Jamaica.

“Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel are committed to this project and intend for this to be beginning of a long relationship with the people of Jamaica,” she said.