New Policy for Repair and Maintenance of Hospital Equipment

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has announced plans to introduce a new policy, which will result in service contractors being engaged on a long-term basis to repair and maintain equipment at hospitals across the island.

Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, made the disclosure at a press briefing held on Thursday (October 24) at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston.

“I have asked for a draft terms of reference to engage a private entity that possesses a suite of skill sets, like engineering, mechanical, plumbing, electrical… has the experience where we would contract them to coordinate the overall maintenance of the plant of our health facilities,” he said.

Dr. Tufton said that by offering extended service contracts, suppliers will have to stock some of the basic parts of these equipment, noting that the supplier will also have to service and change the equipment routinely to prevent break down.

Highlighting the extent of the problem, Dr. Tufton shared that a supplier was contracted to repair the central air-conditioning unit at the Bustamante Hospital for Children and failed to do so after five months.

He informed that the supplier was fired, and another hired.

However, the new supplier has failed to repair the system after committing to getting it done within two weeks and engage a professional from overseas to work on the system.

The Health Minister stressed “there is no lack of money”, pointing out that there is a systemic problem relating to the maintenance of equipment “that we’re going to have to fix”.

“The culture and the history of how we operate within this environment has been suboptimal,” he said, pointing out that “as we build out and modernise, which we are doing, a lot of money is being spent and we have to be careful that we transition into a more efficient culture.”

The Minister said that engaging long-term suppliers, who will have to properly stock essential inventory needed for hospitals, will go a far way in addressing the issue and lead to a more efficient healthcare system.

“Once we insist on extended service, whether through leasing, which we are going to… they will automatically be required to repair and to replace after the equipment depreciates through its usefulness,” Minister Tufton contended.

The Health Minister said he expects the policy draft within the next month.

He said a Cabinet submission will be made and the public will be updated on the progress.