Ulster Spring hospital gets help

Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

ULSTER SPRING, Trelawny:The old community hospital at Ulster Spring in Trelawny was the focal point of friends of the hospital last week Friday, Labour Day.

The project, which saw friends of the hospital conducting refurbishing work, included painting, cleaning, replacing of some windows, and repairing of the bathroom and a conference room.

The work was undertaken in a bid to get the institution back in operation after being closed for several years.

"Funding came primarily from an event we had towards this, along with other contributions," coordinator Nigel Moore told Western Focus. "I am aware that it will not be put back as a fully working hospital because we know the constraints, but we want it to be a clinic with a maternity ward because it is too difficult for mothers to be journeying to Falmouth for such delivery, [especially when it] can take up to two hours or more [to get here] from certain areas to Falmouth."

Moore said approximately $100,000 had been secured towards the venture. He had high praises for the Friends of the Ulster Spring Hospital International, a support organisation in the United States led by Byron Smith.

Smith, who was part of the approximately 50-strong work team, said his organisation had already secured a container of medical supplies, which is to be sent to the hospital as soon as the facility is up and running once more.

According to Moore, his organisation will continue to give support to the facility as the Government of Jamaica may be unable to provide equipment and supplies that the hospital will need.