The National Health Fund (NHF) has approved a grant of $48.3 million for the purchase and installation of new elevators at the Cornwall Regional, the Savanna-la-Mar and the Falmouth hospitals.

The project is aimed at providing safe, modern and reliable operating elevators which will enhance the delivery of service at these institutions.

Seven new elevators will be installed to replace existing ones that are at the end of their useful life span. Cornwall Regional Hospital will receive four new elevators; Savanna-la-Mar Hospital will be receiving two and Falmouth - one.

The contract for this project was signed recently between the Western Regional Health Authority and Jamaica Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Limited. Work on the installation of the elevators will be carried in two phases - the removal of the old systems and then the installation of the new ones. This is expected to get under way by mid June and should be completed by March 2008.

Elevators are crucial for transportation within a hospital providing for movement of patients, staff, general goods, supplies and visitors. According to Pansy Brown, hospital administrator for the Cornwall Regional Hospital: "During the process of installation there will be no negative impact on the movement of patients at the hospital, since there are two other elevators that are in reasonable working condition."

The NHF continues to assist hospitals across the island with improving delivery of health care. Since the beginning of the year, the fund has approved 10 projects valued at $471 million.