Improvement Projects to Be Undertaken At Savanna-La-Mar Hospital

MONTEGO BAY — The Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, in Westmoreland, is set to undergo major improvements soon, through the implementation of several projects at the facility.

Addressing a fund-raising dinner hosted by Friends of the Savanna-la-Mar Public Hospital, in the town, recently, Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, gave details of the projects to be undertaken.

He said that approximately $5 million has been set aside to refurbish the X-Ray department, adding that a new X-Ray machine will also be installed at the hospital, bringing to two the number of machines available at the hospital.

The Minister pointed out that the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund has also approved approximately $22.3 million in expenditure at that hospital, $20 million of which is to be used to refurbish the maternity ward.  He said that the other $2.3 million will be used to acquire colposcopy machinery.

"Cervical cancer is the leading cause of death in women, so this piece of equipment will play an instrumental role in the early detection to increase the chances of successful treatment,” he said.

Mr. Spencer said that improvements have already been carried out on the hospital compound with respect to security concerns. “There is still so much to be done to transform this hospital that receives approximately 16,000 visits monthly,” he argued.

The Minister noted that the operating theatre needs significant upgrading, in terms of infrastructure and equipment.

Mr. Spencer said the government alone cannot furnish all the needs of the nation, and appealed to all civic minded Jamaicans to partner with the government to tackle some of the challenges. 

He commended members of the Friends of the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital for partnering with the government to improve health care for the people of Jamaica in general, and Westmoreland in particular.

By Bryan Miller, JIS Reporter