Custos of Trelawny to petition for renaming of Falmouth Hospital

MONTEGO BAY — Custos of Trelawny, Hon. Paul Muschett, says he will be submitting a petition to the Government for the Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny to be re-named the Victor Magnus Memorial Hospital.

The move, he said, is in honour of the late senior medical officer for Trelawny, who gave outstanding contribution to health care delivery in the parish.

Addressing the official re-opening ceremony for the hospital’s refurbished maternity ward recently, Custos Muschett said that Dr. Magnus, who served as chief doctor at the Falmouth hospital for 28 unbroken years, was dedicated to the health of citizens.

"In his private medical practice, no fees would be charged for children and many poor patients would have their prescriptions filled for free from his private stock. He never charged civil servants fees for any medical attention he gave them," Custos Muschett informed, noting that he also feted his staff every Christmas.

He said that Dr. Magnus' generosity to children extended beyond providing them with free medical care, to paying out large sums in school fees and other related expenses.

“Many children, who, later in life made valuable contribution to the Jamaican society, owed their achievements to the generosity of Dr. Magnus. He paid school fees and other educational expenses for many of those parents who could not afford these.

Dr. Magnus lived an exemplary life on both the family and community levels, Custos Muschett said in making his case.

By GLENIS ROSE, JIS Reporter