Christopher Koo

University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI)

The University Hospital of the West Indies formerly University College Hospital of the West Indies was founded in 1948. It is the first teaching hospital in the region, is situated on the lands adjacent to the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies, formerly the University College of the West Indies. The Hospital, with an initial capacity of 200 beds, consisting of Medical, Surgical, and Paediatric wards, and a Main Operating Theatre, Casualty and Out Patient Department, was formally opened by Sir Hugh Foot, Governor of Jamaica on January 15, 1953. On January 18, 1953, Sir Winston Churchill, toured the Hospital and unveiled a plaque acknowledging the contribution made by the government of the United Kingdom to the institution. To ensure that the Hospital provides a high standard of care and services, many departments, research units, and casualty services were established. These included the Tropical Medical Research Unit established in 1956 and a School of Midwifery in 1957.. Medicine, Surgery, Paediatric, Radiology and Anaesthetic Departments were subsequently established. Between 1961 and 1963, the hospital opened five new operating theatres, a 75-bedded Paediatric block and a 40-bassinet nursery, which was attached to an expanded Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit. A four-storey block was opened with specialist beds for Orthopaedics, Otolaryngology (Ear Nose & Throat), and Ophthalmology with Dermatology and Psychiatric patients sharing the top floor. A 16-bedded Observation Unit was also established. The University Hospital of the West Indies is an internationally recognized academic institution with 579 beds which continues to facilitate the clinical training of healthcare professionals. This type A regional referral hospital has over time expanded its services to meet the health needs of the region. Cutting-edge technology is used in the provision of services thus ensuring excellence in teaching, research and patient care.