Savanna-la-mar Public General Hospital received a significant upgrade to its medical capabilities on March 14, 2025, with the handover of a state-of-the-art digital radiographic unit and an orthopaedic drill from the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund.
The new digital radiography (DR) system represents a major leap forward in diagnostic technology, providing instant digital X-ray images for faster and more accurate patient care. This advanced technology will streamline the hospital’s workflow and enhance the quality of diagnostic services available to the community. Alongside the DR unit, the hospital also received a modern orthopaedic drill, crucial for surgical procedures and improving patient outcomes in orthopaedic cases.
CHASE CEO, W. Billy Heaven, underscored the Fund’s commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure across the island. “At CHASE, we believe that quality healthcare is a fundamental right, and access to modern medical technology is essential to achieving this goal,” stated Heaven. “This investment in Savanna-la-mar Public General Hospital reflects our dedication to ensuring that Jamaicans have access to the best possible medical care.”
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, expressed his gratitude for the CHASE Fund’s ongoing support and highlighted the transformative impact of the new equipment. “The addition of this digital radiography unit and orthopaedic drill will significantly improve the hospital’s ability to serve the community,” Dr. Tufton remarked. “These advancements will lead to faster diagnoses, more effective treatments, and ultimately, better health outcomes for our citizens.”
This handover to Savanna-la-mar is just one component of CHASE’s significant investment in healthcare infrastructure. Other recent contributions within the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) include:
- An industrial washing machine for Trelawny Public General Hospital, valued at $21.646 million.
- Three orthopaedic drills for Cornwall Regional Hospital, valued at $5.775 million.
- Two operating theatre lights for Falmouth Public General Hospital, valued at $13 million.
- Vital signs monitors distributed to multiple healthcare facilities across the WRHA, valued at $6.8 million.
The installation of the digital radiography unit and orthopaedic drill at Savanna-la-mar, alongside the other contributions, marks a significant milestone for Jamaica’s healthcare system, reinforcing the commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services to all citizens. This comprehensive investment by the CHASE Fund is a testament to the ongoing efforts to modernize Jamaica’s healthcare system and improve the lives of its citizens.
