THE NATIONAL Health Fund (NHF) has allocated J$118 million to fund repairs to public hospitals across the island damaged by Hurricane Ivan. The funds were approved based on estimates for repairs provided by the Ministry of Health and the Regional Health Authorities. Combined with the contribution by the CHASE Fund of J$25.5 million, the total amount of $143.5M for the repair of public hospitals will be managed by the NHF, designated as the coordinating agency for the repair effort. Technical support for the repairs will be provided by the project management unit of the Ministry of Health.
FULL-SCALE PLANNING IN 2005
In order to expedite the repair effort, the NHF will also fund the services of relevant project management personnel to support the limited staff of the operations and maintenance departments of the Regional Health Authorities who are expected to manage their region's projects.
All twenty-four hospitals will benefit from this support with repairs to roofs and ceilings, repairs to solar panels and repair and or replacement of damaged equipment. While preliminary repairs have started in some facilities, full-scale activities are not expected to get underway before early 2005 when contracts for the reconstruction of these facilities have been approved.
