USF Provides $17.5 Million To Upgrade Bandwidth Of Health Facilities
By: , April 23, 2020The Key Point:
Photo: Adrian Walker
Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Fayval Williams (second right), presents a cheque valued at $17.5 million to Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (second left), to upgrade the bandwidth speed of health facilities across the island. Sharing the moment are Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie (left) and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Service Fund (USF), Daniel Dawes. The funds, provided by the USF, were presented during a digital press conference at the Health Ministry's New Kingston offices on Wednesday (April 22).
Photo: Adrian Walker
Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Fayval Williams (right), announces the provision of $17.5 million by the Universal Service Fund (USF) to upgrade the bandwidth speed of health facilities across the island, during a digital press conference at the Ministry of Health and Wellness' New Kingston offices on Wednesday (April 22). Listening is Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton.The Facts
- Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Fayval Williams, handed over the cheque during a digital press conference at the Health Ministry’s New Kingston offices on Wednesday (April 22).
- She said that the support being provided by the USF will boost the bandwidth capacity of health facilities across the island in the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Full Story
The Universal Service Fund (USF) has provided $17.5 million in information and communications technology (ICT) support to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Fayval Williams, handed over the cheque during a digital press conference at the Health Ministry’s New Kingston offices on Wednesday (April 22).
She said that the support being provided by the USF will boost the bandwidth capacity of health facilities across the island in the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“The upgraded connectivity is to facilitate an uptick in the demand for connectivity by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, through videoconferencing, data transfer and archiving activities during the national response to the coronavirus,” she noted.
She said that the additional bandwidth capacity will enable healthcare providers to engage with telemedicine and virtual clinics.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said the support from the USF is critical as the nation combats COVID-19.
“These resources will be very useful, and the data transmission is absolutely critical,” he noted.
The USF, which is an agency of the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, has upgraded the bandwidth speed of several health facilities across the island in recent times.
These include regional health authorities, health centres, health departments and hospitals.