UHWI Needs $1.4 Billion To Purchase Equipment

Chairman of the Board of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), James Moss Solomon, says the hospital needs approximately $1.4 billion in order to have the requisite equipment in place for full functionality.

“We are placing priority on the acquisition of equipment, the rehabilitation, wherever possible, of existing equipment and rationalising the use of such equipment, to enhance our ability to serve our patients,” Mr. Moss Solomon said.

Speaking at a press briefing, held on December 21 at the UHWI, in Papine, St. Andrew, he said the hospital is ensuring that any equipment coming into the facility must represent the most current technology that will be used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

“The speed with which the equipment manufacturers make improvement to equipment is rapid, as technology unfolds, and in doing so, they often discontinue the production of parts for old machinery, making maintenance difficult,” Mr. Moss Solomon said.

He also noted that the hospital will have to choose compatible equipment that can be maintained by the relevant technicians.

The Chairman said the hospital has already started reaching out to donors and persons of goodwill, so as to ensure that these needs receive their full attention and most importantly, their understanding.

So far the Board has met with the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce’s Pharmaceutical Committee and a number of equipment suppliers, in order to clarify the hospitals needs.

Other organisations, such as the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Food for the Poor, National Health Fund, the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund and the I.C.D Group have already called, offering valuable assistance.