KINGSTON, Jamaica — As the holiday season approaches, Bellevue Hospital has issued a heartfelt plea for families to open their hearts—and their homes—to relatives who remain at the facility, some long after their medical discharge. The call comes as the hospital reveals a sobering truth: many patients are clinically ready to return to their communities, yet remain on the wards due to abandonment or lack of family engagement.
In the bustling run-up to Christmas, when homes are trimmed with lights and communities gather in festive spirit, Bellevue paints a contrasting picture—of silence, loneliness, and the weight of forgotten names. According to hospital leadership, the most vital medicine for many patients at this time isn’t prescribed; it’s presence.
The Human Toll of Absence
“We’re seeing people who are stable, who have their belongings packed and are waiting—sometimes for weeks—because no one comes,” a hospital representative shared. “There are no calls. No visits. Just silence.”
Patients who have been cleared for discharge remain in limbo, not for clinical reasons, but simply because no one has come forward to bring them back. For these individuals, the walls of the hospital are not just medical—they are emotional. The absence of familial contact, particularly during a season that centers around unity and togetherness, only deepens their sense of isolation.
A Quiet Appeal from the Wards
Bellevue’s CEO, Suzette Buchanan, who recently toured several wards, was visibly moved by the interactions with patients who quietly expressed hope that this Christmas might be different.
“For many of them, one visit—even just one—can bring more healing than any treatment plan,” Buchanan stated. “They don’t want pity. They just want presence.”
A Space for Reconnection
To foster more meaningful visits, Bellevue has invested in creating warmer, more welcoming spaces for families. Among these is the new Leon Bailey Family Room—a thoughtfully curated environment intended to help re-establish bonds, encourage dialogue, and provide moments of comfort in a home-like setting.
“We’ve reimagined parts of the hospital to reflect not just care, but dignity,” the statement added. “These aren’t just renovations—they are invitations. An invitation to show up. To remember. To reconnect.”
A Season for Return
As Jamaica readies for its festive season, Bellevue’s message is simple but urgent: show up for your relatives. Call. Visit. Bring them home if you can. In a time marked by togetherness, no one should have to wonder whether they are still loved.
Because sometimes, the greatest gift isn’t wrapped—it’s returned.
