The conversion of the Leonora Cottage Hospital on the West Coast of Demerara to a Smart Health Care Facility has been completed.
A release from the Ministry of Health yesterday said that the upgraded Leonora Cottage Hospital was officially handed over to the Ministry of Health. It explained that this Smart facility is part of the Pan-American Health Organization’s (PAHO) ‘Smart Health Care Facilities in the Caribbean’ project, and one of five health care facilities in Guyana being retrofitted to become safer, greener, and more resilient to natural disasters and climate change.
The £46.3 million Strengthening Health Facilities in the Caribbean (Smart Hospital) project is currently being implemented in seven countries: Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia. The project is funded by UKaid through its Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the Caribbean and implemented by PAHO in close collaboration with the Ministries of Health of the selected countries.
The release noted that Leonora is the third facility to be completed following the Diamond Diagnostic Centre in April 2021 and Lethem Regional Hospital in October 2021.
On November 23, 2020, according to the release, contractor, Correia & Correia Ltd, began the retrofitting works and despite being challenged by the strictures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, completed the task on January 31, 2022.
In addition to the project scope of works, the Ministry of Health funded other works, including the construction of a new generator room, as well as the renovation of the kitchen, storage bond, maternity ward, laundry room, along with an extension of the external shed of the pharmacy waiting area and eye care department. The ministry also provided medical equipment such as an ultrasound machine and dental unit to improve the accessibility and delivery of quality health care.
These works were completed this month.
The Leonora Cottage Hospital now boasts new safety measures as well as green technology and improved patient flow. The safety upgrades include the replacement of damaged roof frame members, repairs/replacement of damaged floor finishes, doors and windows, the introduction of antimicrobial floor surfaces in critical clinical areas, upgrades to the electrical network, introduction of firefighting apparatus, and improvement of fire detection devices.
The green upgrades provide for more efficient cooling, ventilation, and waste management, boosted rainwater harvesting systems and storm water drainage, and installed LED-lighting and solar water heaters.
The functional upgrades included the construction of a new 1,000 square-foot pharmacy complete with bond area, as well as the construction of a new external ramp to facilitate safe movement from ground floor to the top floor. Other works include an improved ambulance bay, new emergency room, expanded records room, introduction of an emergency triage, isolation room, reception and screening room, new consultation rooms and x-ray room. The waiting room has been expanded to accommodate more patients while the new spatial layout greatly improves the movement of patients within the outpatient area.
Along with the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and Lethem Regional Hospital, the other health facilities to be retrofitted under this project include the Mabaruma District Hospital and Paramakatoi Health Centre, which are expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2022.
