The unit was established through the joint effort of the Rotary Club of Pinehurst, North Carolina; the Rotary Club of Ocho Rios and the Gran Bahia Principe hotel in Runaway Bay.

The unit has been equipped with modern technological machines, donated by the Rotary Club of Pinehurst and valued at approximately $3.4 million, and will enable staff at the facility to better care for high-risk patients.

The three-bed unit has been equipped with three critical care monitors, two stigma IV infusion pumps, four syringe pumps and a defibrillator.

Acting consultant for internal medicine at the hospital, Dr Bruce Auden, said the unit would provide specialist nursing care and monitoring for seriously ill patients.

Improved care

"It provides greater care than one would get on the regular wards but not quite as advanced as intensive care," Auden said.

"We will be better able to manage things like heart attacks, patients who are having problems, post operatively and motor-vehicle accidents will be better managed."

Auden said the entire hospital was grateful for the assistance they have received from the president of the Pinehurst International Rotary Club, Douglas Moore.