AS the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital (SJMH) celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year, it has risen to the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic and launched a brand new COVID-19 testing and treatment facility at the St. Paul Retreat Centre at Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara.

The new “COVID-19 Testing, Treatment and Isolation Centre” meets all national criteria for such a facility and was licensed by Guyana’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) after a stringent inspection of the premises and evaluation of the services offered, said a release from the hospital.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of SJMH, Mrs. Deborrah Ramsay, said the hospital was keenly aware that COVID-19 testing and treatment can be overwhelming and unknown territory for many persons, and wanted to make the hospital’s highly-skilled personnel and medical resources available to help control the spread of the disease in Guyana, and assist those who contract it.

According to the release, Ms. Ramsay said the Catholic Church of Guyana promptly joined the hospital’s cause, and Bishop Francis Alleyne of the Diocese of Georgetown allowed the SJMH to use one of the church’s buildings to house the COVID-19 centre.

“We are thankful to the Catholic Church of Guyana for making this spacious facility available for this purpose. We are also happy to assure our patients that COVID-19 patients are not being treated at our institution in Kingston and therefore there is no need to worry as it relates to accessing treatment and care for other health-related concerns,” Mrs. Ramsay said.

The hospital said it spent GYD$20M to develop the centre as an all-inclusive COVID-19 facility that embraces the unique needs, challenges and circumstances of patients, and provides them the opportunity to get testing and treatment.

According to Mrs. Ramsay, the hospital spared no effort to provide top-rated medical products, amenities and services at the centre—geared toward efficient screening for coronavirus, and when necessary, providing the most comfortable environment for persons who require institutional isolation, so they can survive and thrive.

The release said that to this end, the COVID-19 Testing, Treatment and Isolation Centre” was fitted with 37 beds, a broad system of air conditioning units and an adequate number of sanitary blocks, while also meeting MoPH air-quality requirements. The release said that staff members are fully trained and equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) necessary to effectively prevent contagion.

“Persons who have tested positive at the centre and decided to be admitted there would not be required to pay for the initial test. All tests required prior to discharge will attract a fee,” the release said.

“The SJMH remains committed to delivering the highest level of care to those seeking medical attention and looks forward to continuing serving the public, in keeping with its 75 years of quality care,” the hospital said.