With the generous support of valuable partners, the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) was able to mend little hearts at the Cardiac Centre. This state-of-the-art facility is equipped with a Catheterization Laboratory (Cath lab), Operating Room and an Intensive Care Unit. The Official Opening of the Cardiac Centre is on Monday, April 15, 2019.

The establishment of the Cardiac Centre is significant, as this is the only one of its kind, in Jamaica and the wider English-speaking Caribbean.  The Centre is a part of the multi-million dollar investment made by several partners in enhancing the delivery of cardiovascular services.
Prior to the Cardiac Centre becoming accessible, the vulnerable of the Jamaican society could not afford overseas treatment for cardiac surgeries as a result of shortages in staff and limited medical supplies. The work, undertaken through major funding agencies such as the Ministry of Health, South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), Chain of Hope, Gift of Life International, Rotary International, Sagicor Foundation, Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation, Digicel Foundation, National Health Fund to include the installation of an Intensive Care Unit, Bi-plane Cath lab, Operating theatre, Administrative Offices and Examination Rooms.
-MORE-

Each year, over 400 children are born in Jamaica with congenital heart disease. Between November 2017 and March 2019, 83 cardiac surgeries and catheterizations procedures have been done at the Cardiac Centre.                              
The successes of the surgeries were performed through medical missions of Chain of Hope, Caribbean Heart Menders and the Congenital Heart Institute of Florida over the years, and in the process, providing healthcare professionals and much need equipment and supplies, valued at millions of dollars each year.  
The Minister continues to express gratitude to the international medical mission teams for their service to the children of Jamaica and further highlighted the fact that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with the partners for the establishment of the Cardiac Centre.
Dr. Tufton noted that the Chain of Hope has contributed in other ways, such as upgrading and training of medical personnel.
Board Chairman for SERHA, Mr. Philip Armstrong, expresses gratitude to our key stakeholders for the generous assistances which have strengthened the efforts made by the BHC team to enable them to treat more children who are suffering from life threatening heart disease.