KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton has announced that preparatory work has begun for the construction of a new Kingston Public Hospital (KPH).

Tufton, who was speaking in the Parliament recently, said the Government has given the go-ahead to develop a proposal for the construction of a new facility.

“We are just commencing this process and it will mean a number of preparatory stages like land acquisition and case study development. But we will commence this process this year,” he shared.

In the meantime, he said rehabilitation works have started on the existing structure and will intensify during the year.

“We have so far started the process of transferring the oncology services from KPH and the Hope Institute to St Joseph Hospital as well as selecting a project manager for the further development and implementation of the project.

“This year we will be conducting a comprehensive technical review of the infrastructure for both KPH and VJH (Victoria Jubilee Hospital) and undertake a comprehensive electrical rehabilitation of the facility at an estimated cost of $300 million,” Tufton said.

The minister noted that KPH is one of the country’s most critical institutions, serving over 20,000 inpatients and 300,000 outpatients each year and has proven to be one of the premiere trauma hospitals on the island.

“This Government will not allow this important institution to go the route of Cornwall Regional Hospital due to neglect and lack of maintenance over the years. We will improve the services of KPH by fixing the perennial challenges the facility faces,” Tufton remarked.

He said work to phase out the Outsourcing Diagnostic Programme will begin this year for several reasons including the fact that the Government has acquired diagnostics equipment including 14 state-of-the-art X-rays,  three CT  scan machines, two digital mammograms, Surgical Navigation System, Digital X-ray Systems and Nuclear PECT.

“We are now in the process of acquiring several pieces of equipment including multiple CBCT/Dental X-Ray System, Radiological Viewing Station, PACS Server (MINI) and Ultrasound Machine Handheld. The longer-term solution, that we hope to accomplish this year, is a lease agreement for the supply, installation, maintenance and training for 49 pieces of medical diagnostic imaging equipment covering Computerised Tomography (CT) scanners, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ultrasound,” said the health and wellness minister.

He said the procurement process was ongoing, and the deadline for bid submission is June 30.

“We are building into the system resilience. We want to end the days of broken down equipment and ensure patients are seen on time and for the best care. It’s a journey we have started and we must continue.”

Meanwhile, Tufton said the ring road reconstruction has started at the University of the West Indies at a cost of $278.8 million and designs for the first tower is being completed for tendering this year at approximately US$40 million which includes the cost for new equipment.

The tower will boast hybrid suite and operating rooms; patient reception, minor operating theatre, pharmacy, neonatal intensive care and labour ward and adolescent psychiatry.

“We have to ensure that UHWI (University Hospital of the West Indies) continues as the premier tertiary level hospital in Jamaica and the region,” said Tufton.