, 1963-11-18
H GOVERNOR TOURS ST. THOMAS HOSPITAL

The skyrocketing case load stands out as the principal hospital
problem facing the Paiewonsky Administration following the Gov
errors on-the-spot inpection Of the st. Thomas operations OF the
Department Of Health.
Due to the local population explosion and the ever increasing
influx Of tourists and alien workers, a critical shortage Of both ply
steal facilities and personnel was emphasized by ~. melvin a Evans,
Commissioners, as he conducted the Governor on a tour of Kund
Hansen Memorial Hospital and Public Health activities. With SINH
lar shortages throughout the United States, the bidding for qualified
is made more difficult.
The inspection developed that in the last year there were 47,O31
cases treated at the Hospital. Of that total, there were 34y3O5 treat
ments at the out-patient clinic, 3y455 hospital load was intensified
by 1916 additional calls made by clinic patients seeking after hour
attention. Other facilities were equally strained. There were 5O649
laboratory and CAB x-ray examinations. The hospital served 1888
meals and 93,902 between meals nourishments. The laundry has
been expanded to handle H5O0O lbs of wash.
In the surgical department, the Governor noted that there had
been $40 operations during the last year, 387 Of them. major. The
hospital also was called upon to accommodate a total OF 784 live
births.
The picture is brought into focus by the fact that the census for
medical and surgical sections averaged 1o4 per cent. This means that
there is an almost constant overflow of patients from bedrooms into
halls and other areas not intended for this purpose
The severe pressure that the growth of the community was plac-
ing on hospital facilities was recognized by Governor Paiewonsky.
early in his Administration, the release continues, by anocating
funds for more personnel, expanded facilities and more competitive
salaries, the groundwork was laid for attacking the problem. Now,
the Governor has ordered further action to help existing facilities
to cope with the increasing needs. However, he pointed out that the
situation viii be pressing until the new multimillion-donar Health
Centers, now in the planning stage, are constructed and put into ser
vice on st. Thomas and st. Croix.
With Congressional approval Of a Bill to give the Virgin Islands
bonding authority for such projects, it is hoped that the Health
Centers soon will move into the construction stage. Inc Governor
also repeated his hopes that amendments to the Halliburton Hospital
Aid Act would make Federal funds available in practical amounts
to assist in hospital building here.
The Governor expressed satisfaction at the progress being made
now on construction and remodeling which will add rs beds to the
Hospital in a matter of months. This addition will be made possible
by construction of a new residence building for four house physi-
clans who have been living in the hospital proper. The vacadng of
these quarters makes it possible to remodel the space into a smaller
but more appropriate suite for tuberculosis patients. This will ac-
comnodate is beds rather than the 80 now allotted to tuberculosis
treatment. The highest TB census in the past two years has been
13, and the Department Of Health does not anticipate a growth in
need for this facility. The space thus saved will be completely re-
novated and will provide the 26 additional beds for surgical and
medical nrvicec