History of Mercy Hospital

The St. Joseph Mercy Hospital had its beginning when a group of Catholic laymen of the “Sword of Spirit Movement” saw the need for another hospital in Georgetown. The Sword of the Spirit was an Association of laypeople pledged to the love and services of others with no exception.

The idea of a catholic hospital was not a new one and over the years was being considered by different people, but for one reason or the other, had to be put aside. It was at a group discussion of the “Sword of the Spirit” that the idea of a Catholic hospital was once again considered and a challenging decision taken – Let’s build a Catholic hospital.” This hospital would have as its philosophy, the commitment to serve the community by making available competent health care to those who sought it, irrespective of race, color, or creed, mindful of the teachings of Jesus Christ, Gospel values, and the spiritual/physical nature of humankind endeavors. The dignity and individuality of every person were to be honored by rendering this care in a compassionate and Christian manner.

As a result of this decision, a committee of doctors, lawyers, and businessmen, all members of the “ Sword of Spirit” Movement, was set up to go into the project. Thus it was that in December 1943, with St. Joseph as its patron an offer of three thousand dollars as its first donation, the hospital had its beginning.
The war was in progress; essential commodities were limited, and prices were soaring, even it would seem when there were no goods over which to soar. There was probably no time more unsuitable to start a project of this sort when every unit of medical personnel was being recruited for other fronts. It took a lot of courage, perseverance, and faith on the part of the committee members to continue. However, in spite of all obstacles, a start was made.

In March 1944, the feast of St. Joseph, the committee was successful in getting the Sisters of Mercy to undertake the administration of the hospital, thus overcoming one of the main problems with which they were faced.

At about the same time, a property known as Colonna House, already run as a private nursing home, came into the market for sale. It was purchased, extensive alterations done, expanded, and is still the familiar frontage of the hospital today.

Securing equipment seemed way-nigh impossible at the time but through the United States War Time Hospital, then set up here, contact was made with a Medical Buying Organization by Cardinal Spellman in New York.

The staff consisted of three Sisters of Mercy all of whom were Registered Nurses, eleven other fully qualified nurses and midwives, and three doctors. Sister Mary Margaret was chosen as its Administrator. Although not a Guyanese, she was no stranger in Guyana as she previously worked for some years at the Mahaica Hospital, a leprosarium. Shortly before her death in 1964, she was honored by the Queen receiving the M.B.E Award.

The Nursing School was officially opened by Sister Mary Kateri with two classes of twenty students each. Sr. Kateri had to return to the U.S.A at the end of the year and was replaced by Sr. Mary Generosa who spent almost two decades in charge of the Nursing School. Under her training, the school had a great many successes. The percentage of passes at the Nurses State Final Examination never being less than 90%; these nurses have been of every race and creed and have served Guyana in many other parts of the world.

The hospital started with 64 beds and four years later the building of a new wing brought the number of beds to 125 plus 12 bassinets for newborn babies.

Firms and individuals gave undauntedly in the war years. A donation list in a publication of the Catholic Standards in 1944 shows figures of donations running from $256.00 to less than a dollar, the total amount collected is $131,543.00 without the help of all those generous people both here and overseas, the hospital would not have survived.

An extract of an unsolicited tribute in the form of a public broadcast from a Methodist Minister, Mr. C. Gerry is as follows:
“The Catholic Hospital was first an idea originated in a single mind, translated into action. It promised relief to the suffering. No one is going to quarrel because it is a Catholic Hospital. The Jew did not object because it was a Samaritan that bounded up to his wounds. Suffering does not question the source of its relief; it thanks God for those who bring the relief. The hospital exists for the community; it should receive the support of the entire community. Behind the idea, one hears the voice that speaks through External Ages – “In as much as you did it unto one of the least of these, you had done it to me”. A Human citation is generously given.

It was legally incorporated as the Catholic Hospital on 20th September 1944 a non-profit association. It continues its work as it began, aided by benefactors at home and abroad. Active among these have been the Women’s Auxiliary here in Guyana and the Sisters of Mercy both in Guyana and in the U.S.A. The staff for the most part, with the exception of few doctors, is entirely Guyanese. The majority of the employees in the Nursing Service are graduates of the Hospital’s School of Nursing.

The hospital was officially opened on the 15th day of August 1945, Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, and by coincidence, the first day of peace for nearly six years. Following the opening ceremony, was a week of visitation of Government officials, Legislation Council, the Mayor and Town Council of Georgetown, and finally, the members of the public.

The first days of the hospital were trying and anxious days. Routine had to be established and the Sisters and Staff were to be complimented on their splendid and untiring efforts, their success in overcoming difficulties and going without any serious misadventure or mishaps.

Monday, May 10, 2010, will go down in history as an irreplaceable void in the life of St. JosephMercyHospital. A devastating fire broke out just before 07:00hrs in the upper section of the ColonnaBuilding which was the original building opened in 1945.

As smoke and fire ravaged the building, everyone’s focus was on getting the patients out of the hospital safely. There were 32 patients and 4 babies in the hospital. All were successfully evacuated and relocated to other facilities within 2hrs and 15 minutes.

Losses were suffered by the Medical Records Department, Admission/Discharge Offices, Chapel, Private Doctors Offices, one of the Operating Rooms, Central Supplies Room, Nursing Services, on-call rooms for the Lab and Doctors, the Emergency Room and Housekeeping were all destroyed. Areas not affected were the Administration building, Finance, and Human Resources Departments, Wards, Materials Management, X-Ray, Pharmacy, Lab, Dietary, Outpatient and some Doctors Offices, Nursing School, Library, Laundry, Patient and Family Services, Maintenance, Dr. Devi’s house, and the MRI/CT Scan units.

A meeting was held with the Staff to applaud them for their teamwork, to reassure them, and to thank them for their bravery and commitment shown. They were subsequently sent home for the day. The Managers were asked to remain to discuss the next step forward.

It was agreed to have some of the Outpatient Services up and running by the next day at the Red Cross and Catholic Relief Services. The US Medicals continued from Dr. Daniels’s residence on Young Street.

From Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 Dietary, Housekeeping, Laundry, and Maintenance Staff were back on site at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital to take care of the meals and cleanup operations. Doctors with outpatient services resumed on Monday, May 17th, 2010.

The hospital received donations from many organizations. It was heartening to see these expressions of support from persons all around the world who reminded the staff of the many lives Mercy Hospital has touched.

The Sisters of Mercy, Board of Directors, Administration, and Staff of Mercy Hospital were also very appreciative of the immediate assistance from the Georgetown Fire Department, Guyana Police Force, the Red Cross, Catholic Relief Services, Office of the President, Health Ministry, and other city hospitals who have supported the hospital during this very difficult time for the hospital staff and patients.

While the fire was a tragedy, it presented to the Board of Directors and Management an opportunity to reflect on the tremendous role the hospital played in Guyana. A decision was taken at first to replace the building that was destroyed in the fire but the cost was thought to be too much i.e. ten (10) million United States Dollars. It was decided shortly after to build a Materials Management Building for Three hundred thousand ($300,000) thousand United States Dollars and to refurbish the North Wing for two (2) million United States Dollars. The hospital entered into an Investment Agreement with the Government of Guyana where the project did not attract VAT. Monies were raised through fundraising activities and grants both locally and overseas. The construction commenced in October 2011 and was completed on June 30, 2013. The project saw the building of the proposed Materials Management Building which was used to house Doctors when work was being done on the North Wing. There were improved Doctors’ offices, four (4) beds Emergency Room, four (4) beds Recovery Room, two (2) Operating Rooms, four (4) beds ICU/HDU. Through the rebuilding project, the hospital continued to offer quality service and care to all who visit the hospital.

St Joseph Mercy Hospital is ISO 9001:2015 certified healthcare facility where quality patient care is the primary objective.

To date, the hospital continues to build the hospital by continuing the foundation laid by the “Sword of the Spirit” by continuously expanding its medical services and adding Specialists.