Last Updated on June 25, 2026, 11:26 AM AST by Anthony Morris
JNF General Hospital is reopening the Private Ward of the Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital after several years of the ward remaining closed to the public. The Ward was previously being used as the designated isolation and treatment area for COVID-19 positive patients during the height of the pandemic.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, the ward was closed for the general public in June 2022 and has remained out of use. Prior to reopening the ward, the management of the hospital is refurbishing the ward. The area will be reopened for use by the public in the near future. The date for the opening of the ward has not been announced as of yet.
The Minister of Health, Dr Terrance Drew visited the hospital ward to check on the progress of the refurbishment of the ward. Notably, the reopening of the ward is drawing close and the Minister was briefed about the same during his visit.
The JNF General Hospital Management has confirmed that the ward has undergone significant refurbishment ahead of being reopened for the public. The refurbishment includes significant structural remediation, including complete roofing repairs. The officials have shared that the ward also underwent Interior works including full repainting of all spaces and thorough professional mould remediation. All the work has been done to ensure the ward meets the highest environmental health standards.
The officials have shared that fifteen rooms which make up the ward have been individually refurbished and upgraded with modern furnishings and fittings. The project has been in progress for more than one year under the leadership of Lindsey Maynard, Director of Operations and Acting Director of Health Institutions at JNF General Hospital.
The Ministry has shared that they understand the people of the island may be worried regarding the safety of the ward due to the ward being used as a covid isolation and treatment area. However, Ministry has confirmed that since the ward closed in 2022, the Private Ward has been subjected to rigorous professional deep cleaning on a quarterly basis.
Further, Infection Control Team has conducted comprehensive environmental swabbing of the ward every three months throughout the period of closure. The swabs have not come back positive and the ward remains safe for use by the general public.
The Ministry confirmed that the ward has consistently met, and continues to meet, thehighest standards of infection prevention and control.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
