Gov’t Provides $26 Million to Refurbish Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre

The Government has approved $26 million for refurbishing work at the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre in St. Andrew, says Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton.

The Minister, who was addressing a prayer breakfast at the centre’s location in St. Andrew on Wednesday (April 3) to commemorate the institution’s 70th anniversary, said that the funds will be used to upgrade the wards, kitchen and other facilities, and purchase equipment, among other things.

The Minister said he is committed to ensuring that the institution becomes “bigger, better and more effective” in treating people with physical disabilities and lauded the vision of late orthopaedic surgeon, Professor Sir John Golding, who established the facility in 1954 in response to a devastating polio outbreak in the country.

Today, it is the only integrated treatment and rehabilitation centre for the physically disabled in Jamaica and the first of only two in the English-speaking Caribbean.

It provides rehabilitative care for patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke victims, and children with congenital limb weakness/deformities, enabling them to live useful, productive, and satisfying lives.

Lower limb prostheses are fabricated at the centre for persons who have lost limbs due to disease or trauma. in the…

“This institution remains relevant still in supporting persons who would have otherwise been in a worst position, while responding to a sick profile where the majority of cases are linked to lifestyle-related ailments,” Dr. Tufton said.

In her remarks, Tasmin Golding, daughter of Opposition Leader, Mark Golding, and granddaughter of Sir John Golding, said that the “dedication and determination” of her grandfather laid the foundation for the centre, which has become “beacon of light” for many people.

The Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre has a capacity of 68 beds, comprising 28 adult and 40 paediatric beds. There is also an outpatient general orthopedic clinic on Tuesdays and an artificial limb clinic on first Fridays.

Patients under the Government’s ‘New Limb, New Life’ initiative are assessed for prosthetics at the centre.

The Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre’s 70th anniversary of service is being observed under the theme: ‘70 Years of Specialised Rehabilitation Care, Life Uncomplicated’.