The children’s hospital was a great need in the country. For the first time, there was an up-to-date facility that would cater solely to the needs of children. The grounds were gifted by the queen and others who saw the need and contributed to the upgrade of the military hospital. 

Published Tuesday, February 11, 1964

Lady Bustamante opens children’s  hospital

Lady Bustamante, the wife of the Prime Minister, opened the front door of Ward I and declared the Children’s Hospital officially open yesterday. Attending the opening ceremonies were the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Sir Alexander Bustamante, some members of his Cabinet, members of the Hospitals (Kingston Region) Management Board and a large gathering of the populace.

Several speakers paid tribute to the enthusiasm and help of Ministries, the Hospital Board, firms and individuals who had contributed to the successful establishment of the institution, which was formerly the Military Hospital.  On the achievement of Independence, one of the gifts from Her Majesty’s Government had been the Camp lands belonging to the military. The old Hospital was remodelled and refurbished at a cost of £37,000 for equipment to make it an up-to-date paediatric institution, the first of its kind in the West Indies.

Sir Alfred Rennie, Chairman of the Hospitals (Kingston Region) Management Board, presided.

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