NHF helps UHWI build huge water tank

The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) has received $23.5 million from the National Health Fund (NHF) to help build a 783,000-gallon water tank, one of the largest water-storage tanks in Jamaica.

Dr Trevor McCartney, CEO at UHWI says, "Over the years, the continuous operation of hospital services has been severely challenged when the island is faced with drought conditions."

Smaller dedicated tanks were installed to serve critical areas such as the maternity ward, neonatal intensive care unit, accident and emergency and the specialist block.

"However, the significant boost in storage from this new tank brings our total water storage capacity in excess of a million gallons of water, and this ensures that, in the event that the public water supply is interrupted either as a result of loss of water pressure or loss of water, most hospital services will be protected and normal services can continue," the CEO said.

The UHWI uses approximately 250,000 gallons of water per day, and with the new tank, when filled, water supply to the UHWI is guaranteed for approximately four to five days, in the event of a complete loss of supply. Hospitals are one of the largest water users, with high water use areas being sanitary, air conditioning, medical processes and laundry.