The Editor, Sir:

The recent announcement by the Prime Minister that the Government would build a new children's hospital in western Jamaica has been met with some enthusiasm on the part of health-care workers in this section of the island.

However, in spite of how good this announcement may sound, the government should consider reducing the capital and manpower outlay on such a project by consolidating all available facilities, equipment, and staffing resources.

This we feel is best accomplished by siting the new hospital on the grounds of the existing Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) and constructing a suitable connection between the two buidings similar to the Victoria Jubilee-Kingston Public Hospital synergy.

The soon-to-be-completed installation of state-of-the-art digital x-ray equipment, complete with CTscanner, as well as the imminent opening of a modern intensive-care unit at CRH sets the stage for the delivery of world-class health-care services at that institution. In addition, CRH boasts modern laboratory, pharma-ceutical, oncology and other services. To attempt to replicate these services at a separate hospital, especially in light of the severe shortage of skilled health-care professionals, seems to us not to be the most effective use of the scarce resources of the country at this time.

I am, etc.,

KEVIN R. A. JOHNSON

ivanjam@cwjamaica.com

Montego Bay

Via Go-Jamaica