KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chairman of the Board of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) James Moss Solomon, today disclosed that the health facility needs approximately J$1.4 billion in order to have the requisite equipment for full functionality.

Speaking at a press conference at the UHWI to launch its new thrust in hospital policy and focus on health care which will include changes in the short, medium and long term, Moss Solomon admitted that the facility, built in 1949, may no longer be relevant in 2015 and beyond. 

Moss Solomon said to rectify the situation, the board is looking at changes that can be effected in the short term to allow them the breathing space to address the medium term and longer term issues.

In this regard, the hospital is placing priority on the acquisition of equipment, rehabilitation where necessary and rationalising the use of the equipment to enhance their ability to serve patients.

He said this will require funding and admitted that it will be challenging but not impossible.

“The immediate needs of the hospital are approximately J$1.4 billion in order to have the requisite equipment for full functionality,” Moss Solomon said. “However, the figure does not include cutting edge equipment such as robotic arms in surgery in many areas.”

In the meantime, with regard to the deaths of seven infants at the facility in the recent bacteria outbreak, Moss Solomon said he was unable to discuss the individual findings of any medical investigation at this time, but said that the hospital personnel are fully involved with the ongoing investigations with the public defender and at the appropriate time the findings will be spoken to.

Anika Richards