Private sector-led UHWI field hospital completed

The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) has increased its bed capacity for COVID-19 patients with the addition of a 40-bed field hospital. 

The air-conditioned facility which is equipped with video surveillance for remote monitoring of patients, resuscitation rooms and a nurses' station, was handed over Thursday afternoon. 

The $50 million private-sector initiative was spearheaded by the RJRGLEANER Group.

Surging hospital admissions amid the third wave of the COVID-19 in Jamaica sparked a space crisis resulting in some patients at the UHWI receiving care in a driveway. 

"As the sun rose and got hot, we knew that it was hot under there. When the heavy rains came and we saw that it was blowing in on them, in their most difficult state, we could do no less than to move with urgency," said RJRGLEANER Group Chief Executive Officer Gary Allen.

Allen said while the facility was being constructed, a senior editor of the group as well as the brother of a UHWI project team member were among the patients in the driveway. 

"Just a few months before that, our colleague Michael Sharpe died here… At the end of it, we are honoured and we are blessed to have been a part of this development. It shows us that we can, together, make a difference," he remarked. 

UHWI medical chief of staff, Dr Carl Bruce, expressed gratitude for the field hospital and all the other gifts the hospital has received since the pandemic. 

He said the water supply and sewage systems are being connected and the facility should start admitting patients by the weekend.

Bruce appealed to corporate Jamaica to further support the project as space is available for the installation of four additional units, which can accommodate 20 beds. 

Meanwhile, minister of health and wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton lauded the group for completing the project in record time. 

Ground was broken on September 3.

“I'm not seeking to be critical of our government procurement process, but I will say, if we had given approval to build this facility using government resources, we would not have broken ground for it as yet. Even with our best intentions, my experience in health over the last five years tells me that the procurement process is nothing short of being an absolute nightmare,” Tufton said. 

Donors:
Assurance Brokers Limited 
Barita Investments 
Bert's Auto Parts 
Digicel 
ATL/Sandals/Jamaica Observer 
Fraser, Fontaine & Kong Insurance Brokers 
FLOW
Grace Kennedy/First Global Bank 
IGL
ICD Group
JMMB Group
Jamaica National 
NCB Financial Group
Noranda Bauxite 
PanJam
Petrojam 
Proven Investment 
RJRGLEANER Group
Restaurants of Jamaica 
Sagicor
Stewart's Auto
Tropical Battery 
Victoria Mutual Group
Carib Cement 
Carlisa Enterprise
Chad Ad Distributors 
Geddes Refrigeration 
Courtleigh Hospitality Group
Island Concrete Company Ltd
ISSA Construction 
Tools Hardware 
Tewani Ltd
Super Valu
Tank-Weld Metals
Hardware and Lumber
Jamaica Premix Limited
Matalon Homes
Chin’s Construction
DaCosta Construction
Neustone
DM Equipment Limited
Shaw’s Quarry
ARC Construction
Jamaica Defence Force

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