MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Getting the Mandeville Regional Hospital to a Type A status has long been in the plans of its administrators, those at the Southern Regional Health Authority, and political representatives in Central Manchester.

That designation would mean that the hospital will be able to offer all relevant “support services”, and patients will not necessarily have to be sent to other hospitals for treatment.

A recent $80-million equipment donation to support the maternity unit from the European Union (EU)-funded Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality was recognised by stakeholders as another step towards the long-term goal.

Health officials say the equipment being provided will facilitate highly specialised radiographic technology, critical care ventilation and specialised patient monitoring.

Mandeville Regional caters not just for residents of Manchester, but also the neighbouring parishes of Clarendon, St Elizabeth and southern Trelawny.

Health minister, Dr Christopher Tufton said contributions such as that provided by the EU should not be underestimated.

“I think it is important for us to recognise that the value and the positive impact that it makes each time it is done, on the lives of the Jamaican people, is critical…” said Tufton.

Tufton said an area of lag for Jamaica in terms of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals is to reduce infant, child and maternal mortality rates.

Charge d’ Affaires of the European Union, José Luis Martinez Prada, encouraged use of the services that will be provided by the new equipment.

“Available data indicate that globally some 1,000 women die each day while giving birth. There is no good reason why in today’s knowledge-based society so many women should continue to die during pregnancy and childbirth,” he said.

Prada added: “This gift is made possible through the generosity of the taxpayers of EU member states as an expression of solidarity with the people of Jamaica. I would like to say to the people of Manchester and its surroundings, this gift is for you. I encourage pregnant women in particular to take advantage of the services it offers for the preservation of health and safe delivery of your babies.”