Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson says he is very pleased that the Accident & Emergency (A & E) unit of the May Pen Hospital is back to normal. The Minister was speaking following a tour of the facility on Thursday, February 12, 2015 and after the hospital was forced to accept only emergency cases because of the large volume of patients.
He said “based on the recent increase in demand on the A & E Department, I am very pleased to see that the hospital is dealing with a regular flow of patients, the numbers have gone down and operations are back to normal in that area.”
Dr. Ferguson added that moving forward consideration is being given to improve bed space at the hospital while exploring other options such as using the Lionel Town Hospital as an overflow facility to minimize the demand at the May Pen Hospital.
“We must also observe a healthy lifestyle as this is important in minimizing visits to health facilities, especially those with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ferguson also used the visit to the hospital to meet with and commend the team from the medical mission ISMS Operation Kids USA, which has been at the May Pen Hospital conducting a free paediatric surgical camp during the period February 7 – 13th, 2015.
“I also wanted to personally recognize their contribution and thank them for the wonderful work they have done. I have spoken a parent whose 7 year old son has benefitted from an orthopedic surgery and she is looking forward to seeing him walk for the first time”, Dr. Ferguson says.
The ISMS Operation Kids USA has offered paediatric services in the areas of plastic surgeries for burns, cleft lip and cleft palate, orthopaedic surgery for trauma, club foot and bone deformities to over 50 patients as well as free paediatric health clinics in Clarendon communities including Oliver Gardens, Chapelton, Lionel Town, Cedars, Mocho and Denbigh and concluded their visit in Downtown Kingston at a Health Fair. The Medical Mission was organized by Rotary International.