Community and Government Unite for St. Ann Infirmary Clean-Up

A united wave of community action and government collaboration culminated in a successful clean-up at the St Ann Infirmary on Saturday, February 28.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, the initiative united national and local agencies in a concentrated effort to restore a safe, comfortable living environment for the infirmary’s 71 residents who had been temporarily relocated while repairs were carried out following Hurricane Melissa last October.

Following a recent tour of the facility, Portfolio Minister Hon. Desmond McKenzie pledged decisive action, noting that remedial work undertaken after Hurricane Melissa had left a substantial buildup of debris.

Saturday’s workday proved highly successful and well coordinated, with the National Works Agency (NWA), Social Development Commission (SDC), National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and local councillors joining forces alongside other partners in the clean-up effort.

They were joined by Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for St. Ann North Eastern, Hon. Matthew Samuda, and St Ann’s Bay Mayor, Councillor Michael Belnavis

The initiative at the St Ann Infirmary mirrors a similarly scaled operation led by Minister McKenzie last November at the St Elizabeth Infirmary, which had also been heavily impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

That earlier effort, conducted with teams from the Ministry, the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), the SDC, and the NSWMA, showcased a proven model of collaboration that Minister McKenzie noted could be replicated in other parishes facing post-disaster clean-up needs.

Matron of the St Ann Infirmary, Alicia Drummond, commended the resilience of staff and residents, acknowledging the challenging six weeks spent in relocation shelters and the slow but steady return to normalcy.

“We are getting back on our feet and [Saturday’s] clean-up effort will only further enhance that progress,” she said.

Minister McKenzie emphasised that Jamaica’s disaster response framework is built on disciplined planning, strong interagency cooperation, and active community involvement.

He noted that this coordinated approach not only accelerates the recovery of critical social infrastructure but also highlights the multi-agency collaboration that defines the country’s resilience strategy.

Mr. McKenzie reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continuous assessments and adaptive measures, ensuring that the St. Ann Infirmary remains a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment for all its residents.

“This clean-up success will serve [as a template] for future recovery operations, illustrating how public agencies, local representatives, and community partners can unite to revive aging infrastructure, safeguard public health, and reinforce the resilience of Jamaica’s vulnerable communities,” he added.