KINGSTON, December 15 (JIS):
To ensure reliability of medical machines in the public health system, the Government is exploring the long-term leasing of equipment, says Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton.
Speaking at an open house and exhibition for the rehabilitation of the Old Harbour Health Centre in St. Catherine, on December 14, the Minister said the maintenance of machines is not where it should be, resulting in inadequate patient care, and the change will better serve the public.
“We are looking at leasing equipment as opposed to buying. We don’t maintain equipment very well, and under leasing arrangements we will get a maintenance contract. Too often people go to a hospital and the CT (Computed Tomography) Scan is there, but because of one thing, and no one knows what to do, it is not working,” the Minister noted.
He pointed out that under the new arrangements being explored, the entity that leases the equipment will have to maintain them, and after they serve their useful life, “they replace it with something else”.
The Old Harbour Health Centre and other facilities that are being upgraded in St. Catherine, are financed under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and European Union (EU)-supported Health Systems Strengthening Programme, being spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The facilities include the 70-year-old Spanish Town Hospital.
Dr. Tufton told the audience that the Government is rehabilitating the health centre to meet the expanded need and health profile of the population.
“This is going to be a facility that will enhance your experience in Old Harbour,” the Minister said.
Scores of stakeholders, including residents, local health personnel and political representatives, were given the opportunity at the exhibition to have their questions and concerns addressed by senior medical officers and technical persons at the Ministry.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (right), points to features of the soon-to-be-upgraded Old Harbour Health Centre in St. Catherine, during an open house and exhibition, on December 14 at the Lions Civic Centre in the parish. Others pictured (from left) are Mayor of Spanish Town, Councillor Norman Scott; Assistant Regional Technical Director with the Ministry, Dr. Susan Wright; and Member of Parliament for St. Catherine South West, Hon. Everald Warmington.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (left), in discussion with Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at the Spanish Town Hospital, Dr. Jacqueline Wright-James, at an open house and exhibition for the rehabilitation of the Old Harbour Health Centre in St. Catherine, on December 14, at the Lions Civic Centre in the parish. Listening are Member of Parliament for St. Catherine South West, Hon. Everald Warmington (second left) and Medical Officer of Health for St. Catherine, Dr. Francia Prosper Chen (with mic).
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, addresses an open house and exhibition for the soon-to-be-upgraded Old Harbour Health Centre in St. Catherine, on December 14 at the Lions Civic Centre.
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Good to hear
ReplyDeleteThats the way to go same principle in the rent/lease a car/vehicle principle.Fixing and maintainance not your problem you just drive.Notice companies like Flow lease all the vehicles in it's fleet less hassle.That business is competitive but leasing of machinery needs to be studied to find out an equitable leasing price so the state is not ripped off.Watch out also for conflicts of interests to minimize endemic corrupt practices facilitating overcharging.All in all the leasing of equipment should turn out to be a best practice.Thonly other wayvwould be to award maintainance contracts for said machinery.Both methods should be explored.May the be most cost effective method win.
ReplyDeleteThe things that make you go hhhhmmmmm. Just wondering what's the agreement where the maintenance of these equipments is concerned. We have millions of dollars with of these equipments lying around. Will we get them back up and running to work alongside the leased batch? Why couldn't we have a proper maintenance system for our own equipments over the years? I suppose the pros and cons were carefully weighed, but dont let our own go to waste.
ReplyDelete