Citizens and patients who utilise the public health care system will soon benefit from improved services and equipment as Government has committed to a provision of $45 million which will be allocated for the ‘Hospital Refurbishment Programme’- to fund the execution of various improvement works by the four RHAs.
According to information from the 2023 Public Sector Investment Programme, hospital refurbishment undertakings are “imperative to ensure that health facilities remain fit for purpose, to improve patient and clinician experience, to replace outdated infrastructure and to expand clinical capacity.”
Some of the works to be undertaken according to the PSIP include at the NCRHA:
- Automation of load shedding of the electrical distribution system at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC)
- Upgrade of the distribution transformers at the EWMSC
- Acquisition/installation of a new generator at the EWMSC
For the SWRHA:
- Replacement of four (4) elevators (with intercom system) at San Fernando General Hospital
- Paediatric Critical Care Unit for San Fernando Teaching Hospital
For the NWRHA:
- Conduct of urgent electrical upgrade works at the Port of Spain General Hospital (POSGH) in support of the new Central Block building (rolled over from the previous year)
- Consultancy services for the refurbishment and expansion of the Accident and Emergency Department at the Port of Spain General Hospital (phases two (2) and three (3) rolled over from the previous fiscal);
And the ERHA:
- Replacement of perimeter fencing around facility and Nurses Quarters at the Cumana Outreach Centre
- Expansion of parking and upgrade of perimeter fencing at the Toco Health Centre.
Meantime a total of $60 million will be allocated to the Medical Equipment Upgrade Programme which will facilitate the replacement of outdated or non-functional machines with new technology for increased efficiency and the delivery of specialised services.
Some of the equipment to be purchased in fiscal 2023 within the NCRHA are as follows:
- The expansion of lab services at the St Joseph Enhanced Health Centre
- Two non-invasive ventilators for the Caura hospital and 16 new portable ventilators for the EWMSC and
- Ten replacement ICU beds at the EWMSC.
At the SWRHA, staff and patients will benefit from:
- Two autopsy tables and two dissection bench for the mortuary at the SFGH
- Six general X-Ray units for the SFGH, the Cedros District Health Facility, the Point Fortin District Health Facility and the San Fernando District Health Facility
- General adult bed replacements- 100 new beds.
At the NWRHA:
- Six operating tables for POSGH and St James Medical Centre
- Ten syringe pumps for the neonatal department at the POSGH
- Three neonatal resuscitation units for the POSGH
At the ERHA:
- Minor medical equipment for the various facilities throughout the St Andrew/ St David counties
- Expansion of the radiology information system and picture archiving and communication system.
Further, the PSIP noted that the sum of $90 million will be allocated under the Special Programme – ‘Renal Dialysis in fiscal 2023’ to facilitate the payment of outstanding invoices and to meet costs for dialysis services for a projected 1,115 patients.
Additionally, it noted that an allocation of $20 million will be allocated for the Special Programme – ‘Treatment of Adult Cardiac Disease’ which will be utilised to provide services for an estimated 1,177 patients in fiscal 2023.
A further sum of $9.7 million will also be appropriated under the project ‘Waiting List for Surgery’- which will allow public patients to receive diagnostic and surgical procedures including joint replacement surgery, cataract surgery and MRI scans at private health facilities.
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