Bustamante Hospital for Children Performs 21 Hernia Repair Surgeries in Child’s Month

Kingston, Jamaica – May 27, 2025 – The Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) successfully completed 21 surgical procedures as part of its ongoing efforts to improve paediatric care. These surgeries were conducted during Child Month.

The patients, aged 3 to 11 years, were all diagnosed with symptomatic umbilical hernias. The surgeries, performed as day cases, are expected to allow for full recovery within a few days, enabling the children to return to school, and their parents to resume work within a week.

Dr. Brian James, Consultant Anaesthetist at BHC who led the initiative, stated that the effort directly reflects the hospital’s mission to reduce the surgical backlog and provide timely, high-quality care to Jamaica’s children.

“With many patients booked over a 6 to 7-month period, this project significantly cuts

the waiting time and restores normalcy to families much earlier than expected.” Dr. James explained.

Additionally, the Labour Day project on May 23, 2025, was carried out by a dedicated team of nearly 50 staff members, including senior and junior surgical and anaesthetic consultants, theatre nurses and technicians, porters, and support personnel from the dietary, pharmacy, medical records, and laboratory services.

The day’s efforts were coordinated by Dr. Autrene Buchanan-Waite, Paediatric Surgeon, who played a pivotal role in aligning the work of multiple departments to ensure the success of the initiative. Mr. Anthony Wood, Chief Executive Officer, and Dr. Michelle-Ann Richards-Dawson, Senior Medical Officer, gave their full support to the project.

Furthermore, renovation work was carried out on the waiting area between Ward 1 and the Outpatient Department (OPD). The upgrades included fresh painting, improved seating arrangements, and the installation of charging stations—all aimed at enhancing comfort and the overall experience for children and families awaiting care.

Labour Day at BHC has traditionally been reserved for high-impact surgical initiatives,

giving staff the opportunity to serve the public through their professional skills.

“It fosters camaraderie across disciplines and allows us to give back meaningfully to the

people of Jamaica,” said Dr Noel McLennon, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon.

The initiative aligns with the broader vision of BHC to improve access to surgical care

for children, reduce the burden of disease, and enhance the overall quality of life for

patients and their families. The hospital will continue its regular biweekly surgery lists

and plans to execute a similar initiative for Labour Day next year.