St. Thomas Healthcare Services Being Strengthened in Anticipation of Population Growth

With several major developments taking place in St. Thomas, healthcare professionals have acknowledged the need to make additional preparations to respond to the anticipated population growth in the parish.

Among these stakeholders is Chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), Wentworth Charles.

“Everywhere you travel now, people are looking to come to St. Thomas to make investments. What that says is that we, in the health service, have to make additional preparations because health is a fundamental right,” Mr. Charles stated.

He was speaking on Sunday (February 23) during Princess Margaret Hospital’s 70th anniversary commemorative church service at Christ Chapel United Pentecostal Church in Morant Bay, St. Thomas.

Ongoing developments in the eastern parish include the multibillion-dollar Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) that has, so far, transformed the main thoroughfare connecting Kingston with St. Thomas.

There is also the highly anticipated Morant Bay Urban Centre, which is expected to be completed by March and serve as a mecca for commercial, social and civic activities.

Mr. Charles cited multiple investments already made in St. Thomas’ health infrastructure, in anticipation of its growth.

“Millions of dollars have been spent in Arcadia, Port Morant and other health centres, giving support to the wider community so that we can take the burden off Princess Margaret Hospital,” the Chairman said.

He was referencing last year’s $37-million upgrade of the Arcadia and Port Morant Health Centres under the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ ‘Operation Refresh’.

Mr. Charles advised that infrastructure work is also ongoing at Princess Margaret Hospital, a type C facility, which is the sole hospital in St. Thomas.

These engagements include works on the morgue, a dietary clinic and a water storage facility, in addition to repair and expansion activities.

“I want to assure the people of St Thomas that with the development that is coming in this direction, we recognise that healthcare is going to be very important in addressing the increase in the population,” the Chairman stated.

Princess Margaret Hospital was officially inaugurated and named on February 23, 1955, by Her Royal Highness, Princess Margaret, following the closure of the Morant Bay Hospital due to Hurricane Charlie on August 17, 1951.

The 70-year-old facility now serves a population of approximately 120,000 individuals from the parishes of St Thomas, Eastern Portland and Western St. Andrew.