Clarendon to Benefit from Several Health Projects

Clarendon is to benefit from a number of projects, being carried out by the Ministry of Health at a cost of $121 million, which are at different stages of completion.

This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, at the official opening of the newly constructed James Hill Health Centre, in North Clarendon, on January 24.

The projects include: Rocky Point health centre, where repairs have been completed at a cost of $29 million, and will be officially opened soon; refurbishment of the Accident and Emergency Ward at the May Pen Hospital, being done at a cost of $23.5 million; completion of security improvement works at the institution, valued at $5.5 million; and expansion and renovation of the Lionel Town health centre, being carried out under the Sugar Transformation Programme, at a cost of $23 million.

Dr. Ferguson also noted that the Ministry has made a submission to the National Contracts Commission (NCC) regarding the procurement of a new chiller system at the May Pen Hospital, at a cost of $40 million.

The Minister noted that State Minister in the Office of the Prime (OPM), Hon. Luther Buchanan, has been assigned by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, to assist the Health Ministry’s thrust towards enhancing health care delivery, and will have special focus on primary health infrastructure.

“So, going forward, you will see more of Minister Buchanan working with you to continue (the) building of primary care services. Although he will still be based in the Office of the Prime Minister, he will be carrying out these special responsibilities in the Ministry of Health,” he added.

In his remarks, Mr. Buchanan assured that the administration remains “firm in our position that primary health care is critical to rural development, and lest we forget, healthy districts (and) healthy communities mean a productive society.”

The James Hill health centre, a Type II facility, was constructed at a cost of $41 million with funding provided by the National Health Fund (NHF), under its Institutional Benefits Programme.

Provision of the facility is consistent with the Government’s human capital development strategy, focusing on the enhancement of health care.

In addition to James Hill, the centre will also serve Carty Hill, Desire, Nairne Castle, Roadside, Bog Hole, Fairbourne, Salem, Park Hall, and Bunkers Hill, among other areas.

The project entailed construction of two doctor’s offices; a registered nurse office; rooms for the public health nurse and public health inspector; dressing, injection, procedure, and storage rooms; client and staff restrooms, including  one for the physically challenged; a waiting area; and a document storage area.