KINGSTON, Jamaica. Thursday, March 9, 2023: The Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) received 10 new hemodialysis machines, valued at over $30 Million, to treat patients with advanced kidney failure. This brings the current number of hemodialysis machines at the hospital to 19. Hemodialysis machines filter wastes, salts, and fluid from the blood when the kidneys are no longer healthy enough to perform this function adequately.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony at the hospital today, Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said that these machines will improve healthcare for patients with kidney disease and also ensure that the Renal Unit functions optimally. He further explained that there is an increasing number of persons with stage 4 and 5 renal failures. "Even private and public hospitals would not be able to treat so many patients; more emphasis should be placed on preventative measures that include maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle."
During the function, two ambulances valued at more than $33 Million were handed over by the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), which oversees healthcare delivery in Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, and St. Thomas. SERHA also purchased a truck valued at over $9 Million. The ambulances will be assigned to the Princess Margaret and Linstead Hospitals, and the truck will be assigned to the Regional Office to transport heavy-duty equipment. Minister Tufton added that the ambulances are timely, given the increasing number of accidents and trauma cases at the hospitals that call for their use.
Financing to acquire the dialysis machines and two ambulances were provided by the CHASE Fund. Mr. Billy Heaven, Chief Executive Officer of CHASE Fund, speaking at the ceremony, expressed that CHASE Fund is committed to providing support to the healthcare sector through various projects. “The CHASE Fund team is very happy that we are able to play a significant part in a project that has improved other facilities as well as patient care.”
Each ambulance is equipped with a stretcher, suction machines, oxygen, inverter, emergency LED lights and a handwash station, among other emergency equipment and accessories.
In addition, SERHA purchased three brand new 2023 vehicles for errands at a cost of over $18 Million. The two Hilux pickups were assigned to the Kingston Public and Linstead Hospitals, and one Hiace Panel van was assigned to the St. Thomas Health Department.
SERHA has a fleet of 86 vehicles, 16 of which are ambulances disbursed within a healthcare network of 10 hospitals and 92 health centres.
