NERHA Hails Late Chairman Tyrone Robinson

Officials at the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) are hailing the entity’s late Chairman, Tyrone Robinson, for his outstanding service to the region.

Mr. Robinson passed away in a Miami, Florida, hospital on January 1 after contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19).

NERHA’s Regional Director, Fabia Lamm, tells JIS News that Mr. Robinson “had a knack for getting things done”.

She says he was able to mobilise public- and private-sector support in undertaking a number of improvement projects at health facilities throughout the region, which are “now being felt in a big way”.

These include the expansion of the operating theatres at the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital, the improvement and expansion of the fleet of vehicles across the region, the digitisation of the radiography services at the St. Ann’s Bay and Port Antonio hospitals, as well as the implementation of customer service departments at all hospitals.

“He was a board chairman extraordinaire. He didn’t just talk the talk, he walked the walk. He had a passion for the health sector, especially the facilities in NERHA and more so the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital,” she notes.

“We remain stunned by this huge loss and are still trying to come to grips with the reality of what has happened,” she says.

As chairman, Mr. Robinson was in charge of health facilities in St. Ann, St. Mary and Portland.

This includes four general hospitals, two community hospitals and 70 health centres, with a staff complement of approximately 3,000.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital, Delroy Morgan, for his part, says that “Tyrone has left behind a rich legacy of success”.

“From his partnership with numerous charities and private-sector interests in raising funds for the hospital, he has done so much where we all will be forever grateful.”

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon Christopher Tufton, says that Mr. Robinson was a visionary leader, who brought his expertise to public health, especially to the northeastern side of the island.

“He was steadfast about improving the infrastructure and aesthetics of health facilities, drawing on the support of private- and public- sector organisations to do so,” he adds.

Ocho Rios businessman and friend, Sanju Chatani, tells JIS News that he is still devastated by the untimely passing of the NERHA chairman. “I am still in shock… very saddened… just very, very sad,” he says.

Mr. Robinson was a beloved and respected son of St. Ann, where he was born on April 14, 1962 to Patrick Robinson and Belverene Ballysingh.

He was a pilot, farmer and businessman before becoming NERHA’s chairman in 2016, and is credited for improving the infrastructure and aesthetics of health facilities.

Mr. Robinson is survived by his mother, two children, one grandchild, five sisters, and three brothers.