Number of patient admissions at Mandeville Regional Hospital remains relatively high

While the number of patient admissions at the Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester remains relatively high, there is hope that the figure will soon return to pre- Hurricane Melissa levels.

Chairman of the Southern Regional Health Authority Michael Stern, says this will rely heavily on whether persons begin to take better care of their health.

He was speaking at a handing over ceremony for beds donated by bauxite company Jamalco on Thursday.

The patient load at the Mandeville Regional Hospital increased after other health facilities, including the Black River Hospital, in neighbouring St. Elizabeth, were significantly damaged during Hurricane Melissa.

Stern said the number of persons admitted at the Mandeville Regional Hospital rose to 589 in November, but the figure fell to 492 in March.

Mr. Stern appealed to residents to empathise with hospital staff and help relieve the pressure on them by being more compliant.