KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Health Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, says repairs to the Bustamante Hospital for Children Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Kingston, which was damaged by fire, are expected to be completed within two weeks.

“(This is a) very important part of the hospital infrastructure, and we have to get it up quickly,” he said.

The minister was addressing journalists following a tour of the National Chest Hospital in St Andrew, yesterday.

The fire, which occurred on January 12, engulfed the ICU, resulting in several children being affected.

Dr Tufton advised that the youngsters were recuperating quite well and praised the staff for taking swift action in response to the incident.

He indicated that the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) would be assisting by sharing its services with the Bustamante hospital, in order to minimise the resulting dislocation.

The minister further advised that the impact on other sections of the Bustamante hospital was smoke-related, resulting in the relocation of patients from those areas.

Meanwhile, Dr Tufton said he was pleased with operations at the National Chest Hospital, and advised that the ministry would be exploring possible expansion of the institution’s services.

Among the areas being considered, he indicated, are specialised services and the creation of an isolation area for cases deemed serious health risks.

“We are always at risk, and we have to prepare ourselves; this facility lends itself to that development,” Dr Tufton added.

Member of Parliament for Eastern St Andrew, where the hospital is located, Fayval Williams, who was on the tour, pledged support for the expansion.