By Andrew Clunis
If you listen to the arguments in some quarters you might be led to believe that Jamaica’s healthcare sector is among the worst in the world.
Far be it from the truth.
Yes, there are many challenges but generally, the system works.
The litmus test for the healthcare system is by default the Kingston Public Hospital, one of the largest in the English-speaking Caribbean. It is a most dreaded place.
Having had reason to spend some time there on Fathers’ Day there I beg to differ with the naysayers because my experience there was most pleasant. From the triage process through to the final consultation with the doctor, the process was seamless. I had the pleasure of interacting with first class health professionals.
And the wait wasn’t bad, albeit it was a Sunday and Fathers’ Day at that.
I suppose there are times when the facility is bursitng at the seams but I suppose a healthy dollop of patience could address the resultant frustrations. What Kingston Public Hospital lacks as I suppose is true for all major health facilities across the country is capacity. The KPH was established on December 14 1776 and is now almost 250 years old.
Surely we do not expect the facility to be able to serve the needs of a population that has grown exponentially over the centuries since it was built. But it would have been reasonable to expect that forward thinking governments would have developed an ongoing expansion plan to keep step with the changing realities.
Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has indicated that there is a plan for the expansion of the KPH, those need to be fast-tracked. There is a lot of land around the facility and he has indicated that the process has already started for acquisition through the usual processes.
I’m sure it would be an architect’s dream to be able to design a modern first world multi-story facility with adequate underground and sky parking. Just as was done for the prosed new parliament building at Heroes’ Circle the challenge should be thrown out there to come up with a facility that boasts modern amenities and caters to the entire family.
Kingston needs it, Jamaica needs it.
Any investment in healthcare is money well spent and borrow we must if that is what it will take.
With all the criticism over the refurbishment of Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay at the end of the day it would have been worth it. There is expansion of of the University Hospital of the West Indies currently taking place, the building of a new paediatric facility in Western Jamaica, the expansion of the Spanish Town Hospital and various other upgrades taking place across the health sector. When it all comes together it will be fantastic.
Dr Tufton has done an exemplary job leading the Ministry of Health and Wellness. If he wants true transformation of the health sector he must make the expansion of the KPH a priority election pledge. This would serve Jamaicans well for centuries to come.
P.S. Dr Tufton, the KPH is urgently in need of an MRI machine. This a low-hanging fruit - don’t let it be a blot on your record.
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