Upgraded US$1.2M Leonora ‘smart hospital’ commissioned

As part of the Smart Health Care Facilities in the Caribbean Project, the upgraded Leonora Cottage Hospital was officially handed over to the Ministry of Health on Tuesday.

This Smart facility is one of five health care facilities in Guyana being retrofitted to become safer, greener, and more resilient to natural disasters and climate change. It is the third facility to be completed following the Diamond Diagnostic Centre in April 2021 and Lethem Regional Hospital in October 2021.

In November 2020, Contractor Correia & Correia Ltd. started the retrofitting works which despite being challenged by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic completed on 31st January 2022.

In addition to the project scope of works, the Ministry of Health funded other works, including the construction of a new generator room, renovation of the kitchen, storage bond, maternity ward, laundry room along with the extension of an external shed pharmacy waiting for the area and eye care department. They also provided Medical equipment such as ultrasound machines and dental units to improve the accessibility and delivery of quality health care. These works were completed in August 2022.

The Leonora Cottage Hospital has new safety measures as well as green technology and improved patient flow.

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.