News
JAM | Jun 22, 2023

St. Elizabeth Infirmary receives new ambulance

/ Our Today

administrator
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie (centre), inspects the therapeutic park of the St. Elizabeth Infirmary in Santa Cruz on Wednesday, June 21, during a tour of the facility. With the Minister (from left) are Assistant Matron at the infirmary, Veronic Roach and the Ministry’s Chief Technical Officer, Dwight Wilson. (JIS photo)

The St. Elizabeth Infirmary is set to boost its emergency medical service after receiving an ambulance donated by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund.

Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development shared the news during a tour of the facility on Wednesday (June 21).

McKenzie said that the infirmary is not in close proximity to any hospital and as such a dedicated ambulance ensures prompt, life-saving medical assistance for the facility’s 49 residents.

FILE: Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development

“An ambulance, fully equipped, is important for the survival of the facility,” he emphasised. 

“We continue to make significant investments in our infirmaries. The Government will not spare anything at all to ensure that our infirmaries are in good working order,” he added.

McKenzie further noted that plans are under way to officially open the new administrative block at the infirmary, pointing out that the necessary remedial work was successfully completed on the infrastructure, which is ready to be occupied by the administrative team in short order. 

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie (centre), speaks with Assistant Matron for the St. Elizabeth Infirmary, Veronic Roach (left), during a tour of the infirmary in Santa Cruz on Wednesday, June 21. At right is the Ministry’s Chief Technical Officer, Dwight Wilson. (JIS photo)

“I am really impressed with the work that the Matron and the team have been doing to maintain this facility,” he said. 

He also cited the therapeutic park at the infirmary, which was established in 2019 as the first of its kind, adding that the park serves as a place of healing for the residents, offering a serene environment with umbrellas, tables and chairs for relaxation.

McKenzie said that similar parks would be introduced in other infirmaries across the island, noting the positive impact they have on the well-being of the residents.

The infirmary is located some distance from the hospital, but even more so, in times of hurricane we have to make arrangements with private individuals to transport the residents to other locations should the infirmary become inundated with storm water.

Councillor Derrick Sangster, Mayor of Black RIver

For her part, Assistant Matron for the St. Elizabeth Infirmary, Veronic Roach, expressed her gratitude for the forthcoming ambulance, noting that its arrival will bring hope and assurance for the residents and staff alike.

Meanwhile, Mayor of Black River, Councillor Derrick Sangster, said the ambulance will provide essential support during emergencies and ensure the safety and well-being of the residents.

“The infirmary is located some distance from the hospital, but even more so, in times of hurricane we have to make arrangements with private individuals to transport the residents to other locations should the infirmary become inundated with storm water,” he pointed out, adding that the the ambulance will be able to assist in the process.

Send feedback to [email protected]

Comments

What To Read Next

News JAM Jul 8, 2025

Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dana Morris Dixon is describing attacks by the parliamentary opposition on the Government’s Rural School Bus System, for which phase 1 will be rolled out starting September 2025, as baseless, unfortunate and unhelpful, particularly given the importance of the initiative to thousands of children and families across rural Jamaica.

Minister Dixon says she is particularly disappointed by remarks from Opposition Leader Mark Golding who used a political platform to disparage the buses as “old” and proposed that school children be transported by “di likkle man who have dem pro-box and AR wagon”.

News JAM Jul 8, 2025

Reading Time: 2 minutesPrime Minister Andrew Holness has urged Jamaicans to remain faithful as the government continues to work to ensure that all residents have access to an adequate water supply.

“For the communities that are without water now, your voice is heard. I personally care about it. And the government that I administer on your behalf, we are working hard to correct and improve. And you can take hope and have faith because others who were in your position now have water,” he said.

News JAM Jul 8, 2025

Reading Time: 3 minutesPrime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, has called on CARICOM leaders to continue championing regional unity as the Caribbean faces growing social, economic, and geopolitical challenges.

Reflecting on her first address to the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in 2018, Mottley noted that the region is now confronting perhaps its most difficult period since achieving independence.