PORT ANTONIO, Portland — Port Antonio hospital has received two specialised beds through the efforts of Member of Parliament for Eastern Portland Isat Buchanan who has indicated that 10 more beds are coming.

The two Stryker beds, known for enhancing patient safety, were presented to the Type C medical facility Wednesday, part of the MP’s stated goal of transforming the hospital into Type A facility. Buchanan also handed over other medical supplies including disposal personal protective equipment, surgical gloves, cotton masks, nebulisers, and more as part of his Health, Education, Agriculture and Technology (HEAT) programme for the constituency.

“I am very ambitious, in terms of what Port Antonio Hospital is to be in the future. Where we are located, we have to have the vision that we can have an A-type hospital and technology is going to be a part of it,” he said during the handover.

He acknowledged that there are space constraints at the hospital but made the case for the donated beds to be accommodated.

“They are electronic beds, they are modern enough, and the nurses and the hospital staff here know the ease and comfort in using modern technology. We are aiming to do so much more,” Buchanan said.

“We have 10 additional beds that’s coming. We continue to advocate for 10 more Stryker beds. I want to thank Colleen Heron and Jeremy Murray from the Pennant Hill Foundation who donated these beds in partnership with Miasarka Foundation and the CEO, Carol Pickard, as well as the Guide Outreach Foundation. These foundations have all combined together, as well as the Ashy Foundation out of Los Angeles, [and] are working together to ensure that the vision to changing all the beds, improving the equipment, and providing medical supplies [becomes reality],” Buchanan said.

He envisions a well-equipped hospital.

“The vision is that we can have our own MRI machine and X-ray machine, even if these are portable. I look forward to continuing to partner with everybody, working together and ensuring that while we are here with the C-type label, that if the government won’t follow us, if we march and lead by example, they will look at us enough to know that we are going to lead the charge in terms of improving the health system, which is in dire need of improvement. I’m looking forward to working with you all in the future,” said the MP who was elected on an Opposition ticket.

Hospital CEO Althea Gardener expressed appreciation for the beds and medical supplies which she said will better position the facility to provide quality care.

“This reflects partnership, shared responsibility and commitment to improving patient care for the community we serve,” said Gardener.

Acting director of nursing service Kathy-Ann Gray-Barnett, who pointed out that the health ministry has been purchasing a number of the same beds, also expressed her gratitude for the gifts.

“The timely donation of the Stryker frame beds in this newly formed partnership and collaboration is making the hospital operate with more ease. We are grateful and thankful,” she said.

Two Stryker frame beds donated to the Port Antonio Hospital, Wednesday, through the Pennant Hill Foundation and Eastern Portland Member of Parliament Isat Buchanan. Everard Owen