Black River Hospital gets gate treatment

The Government has spent $20 million to improve the entrance at the Black River Hospital in St Elizabeth.

Funded through the Jamaica Bauxite Institute's Bauxite Community Development Programme, the hospital's entrance has now been equipped with automatic entry and exit gates, a pedestrian gate, improved lighting, and a spacious guardhouse for security personnel.

Transport Minister Audley Shaw stated that the previous gate at the facility often contributed to severe traffic congestion along High Street, which runs directly in front of the hospital, especially during peak-hour traffic.

"In many instances, this traffic build-up would also make it difficult for emergency vehicles to access the hospital, thereby negatively affecting service delivery. Another important aspect of the project is the construction of a lay-by for vehicles, which will also reduce the congestion on the corridor," he said.

Floyd Green, member of parliament for St Elizabeth South West, the constituency in which the hospital is located, said the upgraded entrance gives a "welcoming feeling".

"How the hospital appears automatically impacts on your mood. it Impacts on how you feel as you enter through the gate, and to be honest, what we are replacing, you used to get a feeling of trepidation," he said.