The upgraded Leonora Cottage Hospital
The safety upgrades included the replacement of damaged roof frame members, repairs replacement of damaged floor finishes, doors and windows, the introduction of antimicrobial floor surfaces in critical clinical areas, upgrades to the electrical network, the introduction of firefighting apparatus, and improvement of fire detection devices.
The green upgrades provided for more efficient cooling, ventilation and waste management, boosted rainwater harvesting systems and stormwater drainage and installed LED-lighting solar water heaters.
The functional upgrades included the construction of a new 1000 sqft. Pharmacy complete with bond area and the construction of a new external ramp to facilitate safe movement from the ground floor to the top floor. Other works include an improved ambulance bay, new emergency room, expanded records room, introduction of emergency triage, isolation room, reception and screening room, new consultation rooms and x-ray room.
The waiting room was also expanded to accommodate more patients. The new spatial layout greatly improves the movement of patients within the outpatient area.
The £46.3M Strengthening Health Facilities in the Caribbean (Smart Hospital) project is currently implemented in 7 countries: Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Belize, Guyana and Jamaica. The project is funded by UKaid through its Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the Caribbean and implemented by PAHO in close collaboration with the Ministries of Health of the selected countries. Along with Diamond Diagnostic Centre and Lethem Regional Hospital, the other health facilities to be retrofitted under this project includes the Mabaruma District Hospital and Paramakatoi Health Centre, which is expected to finish during the third quarter of 2022.
