Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson says the proposal so far for the construction of the Child and Adolescent Hospital in Western Jamaica is promising. Dr. Ferguson was speaking during a courtesy visit held at the National Health Fund on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 by the Chinese delegation which has been in the island for a little over two weeks to collect data to inform the design.
“I want to thank you for the work that you have been able to achieve in two weeks. I am pleased about how quickly we have been able to put together the initial design. I am very impressed. This is a very important project to the Prime Minister as she is passionate about fulfilling the health needs of children and adolescents across the island and encouraging greater involvement of parents and guardians in hospital care,” he said.
Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller requested technical assistance from China for the hospital on her visit to that country. As part of the Government’s priorities, the Prime Minister gave a commitment to building a modern, state of the art child and adolescent hospital to be located in the West.
Dr. Ferguson had indicated that the hospital was needed as presently there is a requirement for children to be transferred to Kingston to receive intensive care services, specialist services and appropriate care. In addition, there is currently no specific facility geared towards the needs of adolescents.
“The hospital will result in quicker access to diagnosis and treatment for children and adolescents, more efficient use of resources and a reduction in waiting time for treatment. It will also be the only facility in Jamaica to provide services for children from 0-19 years old,” he said.
The hospital is to be constructed on lands identified on the grounds of the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James.