Gov’t Invests $620 Million in Refurbishing Health Centres
By: , February 13, 2015The Key Point:
Photo: Dave Reid
Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (left), cuts the ribbon to open the newly refurbished Nannyville Health Centre in South East St. Andrew Wednesday (February 11). Sharing the moment (from 2nd left) are: State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining and Member of Parliament for South East St. Andrew, Hon. Julian Robinson; Board Chairman for the South East Regional Health Authority, Dr. Andrei Cooke; and Deputy Mayor of Kingston and Councillor for the Vineyard Town Division, Andrew Swaby.The Facts
- To date, upgrading and expansion works have been completed on 128 facilities, while nine are in the process of being renovated.
- Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said the refurbishing programme, being undertaken by the National Health Fund (NHF), is part of a thrust by the Government to improve health care services at the community level, in order to enhance preventive care and reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCD).
The Full Story
The Government has spent more than $620 million to improve the infrastructure of health centres across the island over the period 2012 to 2014.
To date, upgrading and expansion works have been completed on 128 facilities, while nine are in the process of being renovated.
Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said the refurbishing programme, being undertaken by the National Health Fund (NHF), is part of a thrust by the Government to improve health care services at the community level, in order to enhance preventive care and reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCD).
He noted that NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer were responsible for 70 per cent of deaths in the country in 2010. “Expansion of our primary care centres will allow for curative actions… (and) also… improve the preventive side of care,” Dr. Ferguson stated.
He was speaking on February 11 at the official opening of the Nannyville Health Centre in South East St. Andrew, which was refurbished by the NHF at a cost of $51.4 million.
The Minister further informed that four health centres have been established as Centres of Excellence after undergoing extensive renovation at a combined cost of 100 million. These are: Isaac Barrant, St. Thomas; Claremont, St. Ann; Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth; and Darliston, Westmoreland.
“The idea (is) to have institutions that (function as) mini hospitals with extended hours, and diagnostic treatment at primary care,” the Minister noted.
The scope of work at the Nanyville Health Centre includes renovation of the roof; plumbing and electrical works; installation of air conditioning units; erection of a perimeter fence; paving and landscaping of the premises; and providing furniture and equipment.
The facility provides maternal and child health, dental, mental as well as curative services to residents of Nannyville Gardens and surrounding areas.
State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, and Member of Parliament for South East St. Andrew, Hon. Julian Robinson, who was in attendance, expressed gratitude for the work done.
A total of $131 million has been spent on improving the primary health care infrastructure in the South East Region, which the Nannyville Health Centre falls.