PRIME Minister Andrew Holness has lauded Andrews Memorial Hospital for what he said is its excellence and commitment to health care.

Holness extended the commendation at a thanksgiving service held at Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church last Saturday, to mark the hospital’s 80th anniversary.

“Andrews Memorial Hospital embodies excellence in the health-care sector, yet what truly sets Andrews Memorial Hospital apart is its unwavering commitment to holistic health — a principle deeply rooted in the beliefs and values of the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” Holness said.

“This holistic approach to health is reflected in the hospital’s diverse range of services, including the outpatient clinic, dental clinic, imaging and laboratory services, pharmacy. Moreover, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica has been a steadfast ally in the fight against noncommunicable diseases, partnering with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and endorsing initiatives such as Jamaica Moves,” Holness told the congregation.

A video presentation chronicled the founding of the hospital at 27 Hope Road in St Andrew in 1944, named in honour of medical missionary John N Andrews.

The hospital’s president and CEO Donmayne Gyles, in his address, acknowledged the contributions of the facility’s past leaders, key stakeholders, and corporate partners.

“As we reflect on the journey that has brought us to this significant moment we must give God thanks for His goodness, which keeps running after us,” said Gyles.

He thanked the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Medical Council of Jamaica, Nursing Council of Jamaica, United States Embassy, Indian High Commission, Adventist-layman’s Services and Industries, GSI Foundation Jamaica, and all other suppliers of goods and services, saying, “It is through your hard work, commitment, and shared vision that we have been able to fulfil our mission of extending Christ’s healing ministry to all those in need.”

Gyles further thanked Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Tai family for laying the foundation on which the hospital established a dialysis unit.

He said a collaboration with Adventist Health International and Loma Linda University Health, through a grant, helped with the upgrade of the medical laboratory, which will aid in clinical research and later the accreditation of the lab.

He also said that a longstanding partnership with AdventHealth (formerly Florida Hospital) led to the contribution of a magnetic resonance imaging unit and, most recently, the contribution of a catheterisation laboratory, which is scheduled for shipment soon.

“Both systems will be operational within this calendar year and help bolster our service,” he said.

Monty Jacobs, director of Global Missions, AdventHealth, in his address said, “Both Andrews Memorial Hospital and AdventHealth aspire not just to provide physical health care to those who enter its doors, both of our organisations aspire to bring whole-person care, mind, body and spirit to our communities under a common mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Everett Brown, chairman of the AMH board and president of Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, commended the current AMH team.

“Today we have come to celebrate your service and ministry to people, to celebrate with you the contribution made by those who laid the foundation and continue to carry the baton of Christian service here at Andrews Memorial Hospital during the past eight decades,” he said.

“The love, care, compassion, and excellent service and ministry that the members of the AMH team offer people in their pain — people who are depressed, confused, traumatised and hopeless — is an extension of the healing ministry of Jesus,” added Pastor Brown.