Estriana Thompson also known as ‘Miss Essie” was extremely happy when the Port Maria Hospital’s operating theatre was finally reopened. Three decades earlier she was one of several persons who protested against its and the hospital’s possible closure.

“I lay in front of the fridge where they keep the blood,” she recalled.

Thompson was one of several excited residents who attended the reopening ceremony earlier this month at the hospital.

“I feel very happy,” the elderly woman told the Jamaica Observer North East.

Mayor of Port Maria Levan Freeman said reopening of the theatre will restore civic pride in Port Maria and, by extension, the people of St Mary.

“People used to refer to the hospital as a big clinic,” he said.

Freeman explained that due to the limited services offered at the institution many did not view it as the typical hospital. However, with the reopening of the theatre, he believes people will again be proud of the facility.

Acting Senior Medical Officer Dr Maurice Sloley, who gave an overview at the official reopening ceremony, said it was a historical moment for the hospital which once was well known for its services in the operating theatre.

“Today we stand at a very historical moment. It is not just about an operating theatre; it is also replacing a sense of loss,” he said.

Dr Sloley said he vowed to have the facility reopened when he started working at the hospital.

“For me this is a special day,” he said.

Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson, who also addressed the function, said the facility was refurbished, equipped and a large generator purchased for the hospital at a cost of $31 million through the National Health Fund (NHF).

“We are well on the way to providing the kind of service our population deserves,” he said.

The minister pointed out that elective surgeries are constantly pushed back when emergency arises; however, the opening of the theatre will alleviate this problem.

He was supported by Chief Executive Officer of the NHF Everton Anderson who said reopening of the theatre will ease the pressure now faced by the larger hospitals in dealing with elective surgeries.

While many are excited about the reopening of the operating theatre, they were reminded that it has been out of service for years and so will start off with minor surgeries first.

Surgeries at the facility will be supervised by the Annotto Bay Hospital, initially.

In addition to the reopening of the theatre, the hospital also had its laundry department upgraded.

The facility could soon get another boost to its operations as Mayor Freeman said work will start on the roadway leading to the facility soon. He said the procurement process has been completed and the Parish Council will be undertaking repairs to the roadway.