THE renovated North Wing of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, which had been ravaged by fire on May 23, 2010, was officially re-opened and re-dedicated last Tuesday, marking a watershed moment in the life of the hospital as an institution.

This major accomplishment was made possible through the commitment and hard work of the board of directors of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and a network of key, supporting persons. The understanding and flexibility of the doctors and staff, who were discommoded and suffered some inconvenience as the work progressed, was also most commendable. Financial resources were garnered through fund-raising activities, the generosity of key private sector entities, and other donors — both local and foreign.
The splendid edifice is now elegantly poised in the foreground of what remained of the hospital after the Colonna House had been destroyed by fire. It constitutes Phase I of the rebuilding project. Built at a cost of US$2.5M, it also houses offices of some of the doctors displaced by the May 2010 fire.
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital was established in 1945, and has been providing private medical care to sick people for almost 70 years.
Eagerly, and with a deep sense of pride and appreciation, hundreds gathered under canopies spread outside the new wing on Tuesday to be part of the historic ceremony, which saw the dedication and blessing of the new building by Bishop Francis Alleyne, Head of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Guyana.
Bishop Alleyne O.S.B (Order of St. Benedict) was assisted by Monsignor Terrence Montrose and Rev. Oliver Farnum, who offered the opening prayer.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds represented the Government of Guyana in the absence of President Donald Ramotar, who was engaged with important matters of state in preparation for the 34th CARICOM Heads of Government Conference which recently concluded in Trinidad.
Extending greetings on that momentous occasion on behalf of President Ramotar, the prime minister expressed pleasure at being able to participate in the dedication and re-opening ceremony, and said Government acknowledges the long years of commendable contributions that St. Joseph Mercy Hospital had made to the health services of our country. He also recalled the strong bonds developed by former President Mrs. Janet Jagan with the Sisters of Mercy at the Hospital.
And even as he acknowledged the advances made by Government over the past two decades in providing adequate health care to all its citizens, the prime minister nonetheless had kudos for St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, for its proven excellence in medical care.
The prime minister said, “I can say that St. Joseph offers a service that is at the top of medical services in Guyana, offering quality service at a good price; and I have no reservation in acknowledging that I have received [medical] service here [more than once].”
According to P.M Hinds, Government recognises the special contribution of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital — a private hospital which bears the strain of mercy and compassion — enabled by the passing on of contributions from supporters, local and foreign.
To this end, he also had kudos for those persons and organisations supporting the rebuilding effort. He asserted, “I want to commend all the contributors who, over the years, have contributed to the rehabilitating of the North Wing. And I want to mention both the local and the foreign contributors.”
Comparing the work and mission of the Sisters of Mercy and St. Joseph Mercy [a non-profit Hospital] to the ‘Good Samaritan’, the prime minister commended such virtues and called on all present to work at building a sense of community, a sense of connection and connectedness, here in our country.
He wished St. Joseph Mercy Hospital continued success in the work it has been doing in Guyana, providing a variety and a continuum of health care at a very high professional level.
Bishop Alleyne, in his opening remarks, entreated the blessings of God upon the Mercy Hospital – “…a place that has been set aside and designated to offer healing to those in need.”  He prayed that those providing care for the sick might find fulfilment and joy in their ministry, and he called on them to have the readiness to work with a passion; to collaborate and work together, bringing to the situation their wealth of experience, tradition and insight.
Moreover, Bishop Alleyne called on the staff of Mercy Hospital to inculcate a spirit that rises above the fray, while consciously creating a place where they are protecting life and rescuing it.