The increasing incidents of gun violence in sections of Clarendon over the past 18 months have left the May Pen Hospital under severe pressure.

Almost daily persons, mainly young men, with gunshot wounds are being rushed into the hospital's Accident and Emergency Department.

The trend started last year when 134 persons were taken to the hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds.

This was an almost 64 per cent jump above the number of persons with gunshot wounds seen at the hospital in 2007.

dramatic increase

In the first five months of this year, 34 persons with gunshot wounds were seen at the hospital, and administrators expect that number to climb dramatically when the tally is done for June and July.

Senior medical officer at the hospital, Dr Bradley Edwards, told The Sunday Gleaner that the number of gunshot wounds seen at that institution is very high for a rural facility.

However, Edwards said the hospital has demonstrated that it is sufficiently equipped to deal with most of these cases.

"We have the facilities to resuscitate patients, stabilise patients and perform emergency surgeries. There are instances where patients require more advanced interventions and, as such, are transferred to other treatment facilities," Edwards said.

But Edwards admitted that the increasing number of persons with gunshot wounds visiting the hospital is putting a strain on the facility.

"The same team that handles trauma handles the other chronic conditions that turn up at the Accident and Emergency Department.

"Since most gunshot wounds are usually given higher priority (depending on the nature of the injuries) other patients are affected because their waiting time for treatment and care becomes extended," added Edwards.

That is a point underscored by Nadia Nunes-Howe, chief executive officer at the May Pen Hospital.

"Acts of violence/preventable injuries span all socio-economic strata. We have staff members who have become victims of violence." said Nunes-Howe.

She noted that, like most other health facilities across the island, the May Pen Hospital faces a shortage of nursing staff and resident medical officers.