KINGSTON, Jamaica — To mark its 240th-anniversary celebration the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) opened the newly renovated William Ward, which has a 28 bed capacity. 

Two additional wards, namely Luke and Steventon, were also renovated as part of a project, which cost a total of $59 million dollars.

Speaking at the official launch of the anniversary celebrations and the reopening ceremony held on Wednesday, January 27, Minister of Health Horace Dalley said this renovation and additional bed space is in keeping with the new thrust for the health sector for the new financial year.

“I am aware of the need for additional beds in our health facilities and for today to reopen the newly renovated William Ward with an additional 28-bed space is a great achievement,” he said. 

“After speaking with the Board Chairmen of the Regions I was told that every single bed in our public health facilities is occupied and I am aware of the stress this causes our medical team to admit patients. I am making the commitment that in the next financial year, we will start the preparation and planning process for the improvement in the bed capacity starting with some of our major facilities across the island,” Dalley added.

According to the health ministry, the KPH, which was founded in 1776, currently sees approximately 2,000 patients per day.

Activities to commemorate KPH’s 240th anniversary include a church service scheduled for Sunday,January 31 at the Kingston Parish Church at 8:00 am, a health fair and a benefit banquet, among other events.