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Jul 03, 2013 News
By Tiffanne Ramphal
The newly renovated North Wing of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital was yesterday officially reopened and rededicated in the presence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; members of the hospital’s Board of Directors, representatives of the clergy and prominent members of the private sector.
Making her remarks at the opening ceremony, the Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Helen Browman, recounted the events of that fateful morning when fire broke out in the original building of the hospital which was opened in 1945.
She related that losses suffered included medical records, the admission and discharge offices, the chapel, offices of 13 doctors, one of the operating rooms and the central supplies room.
According to Ms. Browman, the damage was estimated just over $600M.
She said that although the fire was tragic, it presented an opportunity to shape the future of the hospital, which was in dire need of extensive repairs, maintenance and retooling.
Ms. Browman explained that based on the plans agreed upon by the Board of Directors, the rebuilding process entailed two phases; phase one being what was witnessed at the ceremony.
Phase one, completed in two parts, comprised a new building used as a transition space to house the staff and doctors when work was being done in sections of the North Wing; and the renovation of the North Wing which included the enhancement of patient rooms, expansion of the High Dependency Unit and upgraded equipment in the x-ray and laboratory department of the hospital.
Phase two, which is expected to commence soon, will involve the replacement of the building that was destroyed in the fire.
Browman recounted that the day of the fire coincided with a workshop that was planned to determine what needed to be done to reverse the serious financial problems it was encountering. She noted that within a few short weeks following the fire, through the help of many, the operations of the hospital were resumed and the rebuilding process was started in record time.
She said that although fund raising was a difficult task, with the help of local and overseas donors and the Government which allowed for VAT-free imported materials, they were able to overcome their hurdles.
As part of the rededication yesterday, Bishop Francis Alleyne blessed the building after which the ceremonial ribbon was cut by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.
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