MOH Seeks to Improve Security at Health Institutions

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has developed a strategic security plan aimed at making health facilities safer for patients and workers, following security breaches at some institutions, recently.
“The Ministry of Health has taken a decision to tailor security contracts to the security profile of individual health facilities, having regard to the fact that the security needs of one institution might be different from that of another,” Minister of Health, Hon Rudyard Spencer, told a press briefing at the Ministry in downtown Kingston, Friday (September 3).
The Ministry had undertaken a review of the security arrangements at the Spanish Town Hospital, Bustamante Hospital for Children, Princess Margaret Hospital, Bellevue Hospital and some health centres, where breaches occurred.
“Our facilities will be hard pressed, in this challenging environment, to provide immunity from security breaches and criminal activity. Nonetheless, we intend to focus initially on enhancing our security arrangements in three specific areas, namely technology, lighting and manpower,” Mr. Spencer said.
He said the Ministry would be working more closely with the island’s security forces, especially in facilities deemed to be high risk.

Minister of Health, Hon Rudyard Spencer (left), and Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry, Dr. Jean Dixon (right), listen keenly as Director of Emergency Disaster Management and Special Services in the Ministry, Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse, provides details on the outbreak of Dengue fever, at a press conference at the Ministry of Health, downtown Kingston, Friday (September 3).

The Health Minister also disclosed that the Ministry was reviewing the specifications for security contracts based on the reviews that have been done and the strategic review plan.
“The whole arrangement for security has shifted and we are looking at that,” he told journalists.
Explaining the need for the review of contracts, he said several contracts were up for renewal and now would be a good time for revamping the services delivered under those contracts.
The Ministry will soon be inviting tenders for the provision of security services at several facilities, he said.