New maternity ward for NA Hospital

Facilities at the New Amsterdam Hospital are soon to be upgraded. This is according to Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, who made this announcement at the signing of the contract for construction of a new maternity wing at that medical facility. The $192 million contract which has been awarded to S and K Construction and Consultancy Service General Supplies will see a one-flat building being constructed fully equipped with the technology that is now being used in maternity and delivery rooms. These include: two operating theatres, four delivery rooms, 100 beds, parking facilities, viewing areas for visitors, and sterling nursing and doctors’ rest rooms.
The state-of-the-art one-storey maternity wing will also have a post-anesthetic unit and a neonatal intensive care unit, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019.
Speaking at the event last week, the Public Health Minister said the aim of this venture is to ensure that more obstetrical and gynaecological services are offered through consultants, an adequate amount of paediatric doctors is available, and there is more space for private conversations with women and girls about family planning. This initiative, she said, is in keeping with Government’s mandate to modernise and upgrade the regional hospitals to provide vital medical services.
The new facility is a collaborative effort between the ministries of Public Health and Communities.
Region Six Chairman, David Armogan, told the gathering that there will no longer be complaints of inadequate space, as is the case at the present maternity unit.
Meanwhile, efforts are also underway to improve the working conditions for staff, and to provide new services along with an additional complement of technical and supporting staff at the hospital.
Minister Lawrence noted that the Accident and Emergency Unit (A&E) at the New Amsterdam Hospital will be expanded this year to improve the delivery of healthcare services to patients.
Future plans for the Region Six health sector, to be completed in 2018, include the construction of a theatre at the Skeldon Hospital and the provision of an out-patient building, doctors’ quarters and maternity ward for the New Amsterdam Hospital.