Ministry of Health

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The Ministry of Health has awarded a $21 million contract to Fencing Associates Limited for the construction of a 725 metre-long perimeter fence at the Bellevue Hospital in East Kingston.

Speaking at the signing ceremony held today (Feb. 9) in the hospital's conference room, Minister of Health, Horace Dalley, noted that the contract was another milestone in the thrust to improve the infrastructure at health facilities islandwide.

"We are embarking on a modernization programme of the health sector and in another year to a year and a half, all the major health facilities in Jamaica must have all the necessary diagnostic equipment and state of the art machinery that health workers need to work with," he stated.

The Minister noted that as part of the effort to improve public health facilities, the Ministry was now in possession of a number of new ambulances and would receive radiological equipment shortly.

"We are really trying to improve the health facilities.. I do not want to have people travelling from Savanna-la-mar to come to Kingston for (medical care).I want the facilities in all our major hospitals to improve," he stated.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer at the Bellevue Hospital, Hugh Porter, noted that the construction of this fence was a symbol that both patients and staff could work and receive medical care in a safe and comfortable environment.

Mr. Porter commended the staff at the hospital for their hard work, noting that the institution had a very dedicated and caring staff.

The fence, which will be constructed in three segments, will run around the northern, southern and western boundaries of the premises.

The National Health Fund is financing the project and work is slated to commence on February 19 and should be completed at the end of May.

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