jamarchThe South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) has injected funds into the upgrading and improvement of equipment and infrastructure at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), to improve the level of service provided to the hundreds of thousands of persons, who seek healthcare at the institution.
SERHA Chairman, Lyttleton Shirley, said the minor operating rooms in the Accident and Emergency Department were recently upgraded, while 100 patients have already benefited from the services of the Ambulatory Chemotherapy Unit, which opened in November.
Additionally, he said, two haemodialysis machines were purchased at a cost of US$100,000.
He said this was to support the growing demand for dialysis service, and to ensure that the renal unit functions optimally.
“Currently, 93 patients are dialysed twice per week at KPH,” Mr. Shirley said.
He was speaking at the handing over of 100 wheelchairs to the hospital by the Rotary Club of St. Andrew on March 14. The donation is valued at $4 million.
Last year 55,350 more persons made use of the KPH’s Outpatient Department, than in 2011. A total of 74,000 persons were seen in the Accident and Emergency Department, reflecting a four per cent increase. Approximately 28,000 patients were admitted.
SERHA is a statutory body of the Ministry of Health and is one of four Regional Health Authorities formed under the National Health Services Act of 1997, to improve the quality of health care through more efficient use of resources and timely decision making.
By Alphea Saunders
Media Writer
