HDUs are special facilities within a hospital where patients who require close observation are able to receive an intermediate level of care between that which is available on a general ward and that in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Mothers and neonates with life-threatening injuries, illnesses including severe infections will benefit.

The JMD $230 million development includes a Neonatal HDU with eight beds, including two Neonatal Isolation suites, Maternal HDU with five beds, including Maternal Isolation suite. The facility will be equipped with highly specialized radiographic technology, digital computerized radiographic imaging systems, critical care ventilators and specialized patient monitoring equipment.

Head of the EU Delegation to Jamaica Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska said in her address on May 17 that the occasion was an “important step in the journey we have been on through PROMAC”.

“It is a comprehensive collaboration between the EU and Jamaica, with the primary aim of improving the health care for mother and child,” she added.

Wasilewska also said that despite the great progress that Jamaica has made in reducing maternal and child deaths over the years, challenges remain, which are being addressed together.

It is against this background that PROMAC was developed to improve new-born and emergency obstetric care in 9 newly established HDUs in 5 hospitals across Jamaica; improve primary health care services for high-risk pregnancies; and enhance clinical knowledge and skills of health professionals.

Among the achievements under the programme to date are:

• The award of 51 scholarships in the Doctor of Medicine Programme in Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Anaesthesiology;
• The award of scholarships for short course in Ventilation and Obstetric Ultrasound, under the contract with the University of the West Indies;
• The training of 10 fellows in Maternal-Foetal Medicine, Critical Care and Neonatology;
• The training of 50 nurses in critical care and 23 in post-basic midwifery;
• The training of primary health care workers in Neonatal Resuscitation, Obstetrics Care and Customer Service; and
• The training of 25 Dieticians and Nutritionist in neonatal nutrition.

Minister of Health Christopher Tufton has lauded the milestones so far.

“It is testament to the work of our dynamic team of professionals, marshalled by the Ministry of Health; our international partner the European Union, who has been a most excellent collaborator; and the Planning Institute of Jamaica, which has overall responsibility for the management and administration of all official development assistance, including from the EU,” he noted.

Added Tufton: “Training completed in the various areas so far will enable the effective operation of the needs of mothers and their children.”

The contract for construction of the special wards has been awarded to M&M Construction for completion within 12 months, under the Ministry’s Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality (PROMAC), funded by the EU to the tune of Euro 22 million.