KINGSTON, Jamaica – More than 4,000 people welcomed the new year as patients in Government health facilities islandwide.

This is according to Minister of Health Horace Dalley who yesterday wished them a speedy recovery as he assured them and their families that health workers will continue to give of their best to ensure that they receive the best care and treatment possible.

According to a news release from the Ministry of Health, as at 12:00 pm on December 31, 2015, there were 4,084 in-patients, including 639 children in all Government hospitals across the island.

The total number includes 421 patients at Spanish Town Hospital, 378 at Kingston Public Hospital, 355 at Cornwall Regional, 263 at the University Hospital of the West Indies, and 174 at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

“My wish is for full recovery for all our patients and good health for them and their families into the new year. I also would like to thank the thousands of health care workers who worked through the Christmas holidays taking care of the sick, working in communities and protecting our borders and will do so again this time round,” Minister Dalley said.

He added that despite the many obstacles faced in 2015 the ministry will continue to put systems in place to improve the quality and delivery of health care to clients.