Black River Hospital reopens one year after Hurricane Melissa devastation

 

 

Today, on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Melissa, reconstructed wards at Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth again became operational.

 

A reopening ceremony was scheduled for 1 p.m., with Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton and other officials in attendance. 

 

Millions of dollars have been spent to carry out major upgrades at the hospital, including of surgical wards, operating theatres and staff quarters, which were severely damaged by the hurricane.

 

Speaking with the Radio Jamaica newscentre ahead of Wednesday's activities, Michael Bent, Regional Director for the Southern Regional Health Authority, said improved facility will have a bed capacity of 188, up from 151.

 

Mr. Bent said staff morale has risen significantly due to the restored services at the hospital. 

 

"Although it is not yet completed, some persons have been posting and asking, 'Is this the Black River Hotel?' And of course, the staff is very happy for that having gone through the trauma of a hurricane and then having to be working, conducting the services in sub-optimal conditions after the hurricane because right now, we are operating from the field hospital, which is the tent. So thank God, come short while, maybe another week or so, we should be able to be back here, fully operational and the staff would be in a much more modern facility. And of course, the mindset would be much more improved and morale would have been boosted," he noted.