ST. Joseph Mercy Hospital last Wednesday officially launched a $400M fundraising drive for the rebuilding of the section of the hospital complex destroyed by fire on May 10, 2010. The activity was promoted under the theme, “Restoring vital health service and ready to rebuild.”

The launch, conducted on the burnt-out site of the hospital compound, during a media briefing to update journalists and others on the status of plans for the rebuilding, got off to an encouraging start with two generous on-the-spot donations being made by trend-setting private sector entities – Republic Bank Guyana Ltd. and John Fernandes Ltd.

Republic Bank’s cheque for an undisclosed amount was handed over by Ms. Yonette Dublin, while John Fernandes’s was handed over by Mr. Ivor O’Brien. John Fernandes Ltd. has committed to giving $2M  each year for the next two years.

Chairperson for the exercise, Board Chairman, Mr. Conrad Plummer expressed gratitude to the two donors and called on the banking sector and other private sector entities to follow suit, expressing confidence that, with goodwill and determination the scheduled October, 2012 dateline for completion of the project can be realised.

Others officiating at the launch were Mr. Albert Rodrigues of Rodrigues’ Architects Ltd., who gave a detailed preview of the facilities being catered for, and what the building will look like on completion; Mr. Chris Fernandes, Coordinator, Corporate Involvement who outlined “How we’ll make it happen” and Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy who had ‘Words of Support’ and who is expected to play a crucial role in making things happen at the governmental level.

Unveiling a very ambitious and ‘people oriented’ project scheduled to come on stream by July next, and slated for completion by October, 2012, Mr. Chris Fernandes, Coordinator, Corporate Involvement declared:  “It is now our aim to make our hospital, once again, one of the leading health care providers in Guyana…. but to make this happen, we need all hands on deck.”

Fernandes said that the priority is to have a modern, well equipped emergency room, with supporting state-of-the-art operating rooms, Intensive Care Unit, and Recovery Rooms where critically ill persons could be stabilized while being evaluated either for medical evacuation or surgery locally, among other things.

He said that Mercy Hospital will continue to encourage experienced and well qualified, specialist doctors to party with the institution, and to train nurses to provide a cadre of quality nursing staff to complement the efforts of the management team, making St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, once again, the number one health care provider locally.

Meanwhile, to coincide with the commencement of the construction, slated for July 2011, there will be a strategic review of the entire hospital, which will determine the needs of Phase II of the Project, and which will determine the design of the new building.

Projected Cost

Giving a breakdown of the costs, Mr. Fernandes outlined: “The project starting July will cost an estimated $400 M. This is made up of $240M  for redesign and refurbishment of the North Wing; $60M for the Materials Management Building (including alternative accommodation for persons to occupy the burnt wing during construction works) another $100 M for additional equipment still to be purchased. This will include a new elevator and [a] modern and efficient generator.”

Additionally, the Board will be circulating a list of building materials needed, for perusal by persons interested in making donations, he said.

Fund-raising activities

Mr. Fernandes assured that Mercy Hospital has been working very hard to raise monies through fund-raising activities organized by the Mercy Auxiliary, which, just recently handed over $10.5M from efforts last year. He  encouraged friends and well-wishers to purchase tickets for an upcoming fund-raising raffle, organized in support of this project.

He acknowledged Government’s generosity in allowing Vat-free importation of certain essential materials, adding that the  board was hopeful that Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy who was present at the launch, would use his good offices to influence a refund of VAT payments on locally purchased materials and equipment.

What it will look like

Meanwhile, giving a sneak preview, and displaying colourful and impressive architect’s impression of the Project to be undertaken, Architect, Mr. Albert Rodrigues, gave an idea of what the project will look like. He disclosed that a major component of the building will be the refurbishment. On the ground floor will be accommodated the MRI and CAT Scan Units; Emergency and Recovery Rooms, X-Ray; accommodation for Phlebotomists and about nine doctors; accommodation for a hospital lift/ ramp, among other things.

On the first floor, the focus will be on doctors’ accommodation, with some 14 offices, bringing the total number of doctors’ offices on the first and second floors to 23. It will also provide for laboratory space and waiting area. The second floor will provide for the maternity area with semi and private self-contained rooms; and orthopaedic section, Operating Theatre, Intensive Care and High Dependency Units along with  recovery beds; ancillary rooms, lobbies and a pharmacy in the eastern section among other things.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ramsammy who had words of support for the project, congratulated the Sisters of Mercy and commented that the reconstruction and further improvement of St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital is truly an occasion for celebration by all Guyana. Minister Ramsammy noted that for more than 50 years, the health sector has benefited from the contribution of that health institution, adding that it has contributed in a significant way to the well being of our people.

Affirming that the Government of Guyana stands firm with St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital, Dr. Ramsammy, said that, as Minister of Health, he cannot envisage the health sector without the contribution of St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital.

Describing it as a very good investment, he called on all Guyanese – at home and abroad, and even other persons not Guyanese- to come forward in support of the initiative – a worthwhile service for humanity. For him the raising of $400M for such a project, is both a ‘doable’ and a commendable initiative.

Dr Ramsammy credited the institution as a strong private sector entity in Guyana, which has always played a key role in contributing to the health of the Guyanese nation. He cautioned that the public sector would be making a huge mistake, were it to see the private sector as a competitor, adding. “We don’t see them that way. We see it as a partnership, providing important services for all of our people.

“So, from my perspective, as we put this building together, it is not merely an investment in having another building in the health sector, but it is really, genuinely building a health service that all of us need,” Dr. Ramsammy concluded.

Brief History of the Hospital

Meanwhile, giving a brief background to the genesis of the institution, Mr. Plummer recalled that St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, located at 130-132 Parade Street, Kingston, had its beginnings in 1943, through the instrumentality of a group of Catholic laymen, known as ‘The Sword of the Spirit’. That group, headed by Bishop George Weld S.J. cherished a dream of a Catholic Hospital whose mission would be synonymous with that of the Sisters of Mercy – to comfort and instruct the sick and poor, of Christ. The Sisters of Mercy, a religious order, was founded in Ireland in 1831.

That dream became a reality when, in 1944, the Sisters of Mercy of  Scranton Province U.S.A. became involved in making the concept of the hospital a reality, and agreed to accept the managerial role.

Despite financial challenges brought on by the depression, by 1946, the hospital had officially opened within the complex, a nursing school, recognized by government, and of which all Guyana is proud, and with a reputation for producing ‘quality nurses’ serving not only at home, many have also ventured to international destinations, serving with distinction.

Throughout the years, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital has held steadfast to its founding principles of providing a quality service, regardless of race, colour, creed or religion.