The Chapelton Community Hospital in Clarendon will be renovated at a cost of US $1 million. Ground was broken for renovation works on Thursday, October 18.
The renovation is being made possible by businesswoman and head of the charity organization, Push Start Foundation, Clarendon-born, Ms. Beverly Nichols.
The scope of work will include: new ceiling, walls, flooring; construction of four additional doctors’ offices and a second ward to accommodate 15 beds, bringing the total number of bed spaces to 30. The hospital will also be upgraded to include a new minor operating theatre, expanded waiting area, improved bathroom facilities for men, women, patients and staff, expanded records area, new laboratory to improve diagnostic services, improved parking area and water storage facility and new electrical and plumbing works.
“I am setting up an endowment fund to help in the long term sustainability of this (Chapelton Hospital) institution. “Healthcare is not a luxury, it is a basic necessity for all humans” Ms. Nichols said.
The businesswoman added that she decided to focus on Chapelton Hospital so that it will better facilitate the underserved members of the communities, which includes: Chapelton, Rock River, Mullett Hall, Summerfield, Crawl River, Pennants, Frankfield, Crooked River and other communities.
Minister of Health, Dr. Christopher Tufton in expressing sincere gratitude to Ms. Nichols for her selfless donation, pointed out that it was important for the rebuilding of trust between the people and the communities and elected representatives in order to improve the relationships of partnerships.
“Ms. Nichols had to have had a minimal at least, level of trust in the system to work that her US $1 million with an appropriate infrastructure, with the support of the American Friends of Jamaica, AFJ, (project managers), who are here to offer greater levels of accountability and transparency, which we welcome; if that trust and if that hope and commitment wasn’t there then clearly this would be a non-starter. There are many other causes you (Ms. Nichols) could have supported, that’s just the reality.”
The Health Minister pointed out that he believes that the only way to address the scourge of ill-health in Jamaica is if the importance of partnership is recognized and each stakeholder is true to their part of the commitment.
“I believe this is a formula for success going forward in the future and that is why the Diaspora is so important. The politician is still very important and we must do what is necessary to ensure that that credibility is not only maintained but enhanced.”
