Green Pond Health Centre Reopens After $30-Million Upgrade

More than 13,000 residents from Green Pond and surrounding communities in St. James are accessing primary healthcare in more spacious and comfortable surroundings, following the completion of renovations at the Green Pond Health Centre.

This work was completed at a cost of $30 million under the Government’s Operation Refresh initiative.

It included expansion of the building to provide air-conditioned medical records and consultation rooms, enclosing the main waiting area and installing air conditioning, erecting perimeter fencing, paving of the car park, general painting and more.

Green Pond Health Centre provides maternal and child healthcare, including antenatal, postnatal, child health, and family planning, as well as wound care and dressing services to residents of Green Pond, Farm Heights, Porto Bello Mews and Cornwall Courts.

Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, in his address at the official reopening of the facility on Thursday (January 16), informed that it is the 13th health centre in St. James to benefit from improvement works under Operation Refresh.

He noted that the initiative aims to revitalise Jamaica’s 325 health centres, with 30 more facilities already earmarked for work over the next two months.

The objective, the Minister said, is to encourage more persons to access preventative healthcare services at their community health centres to reduce the burden on hospitals.

“Our physical facilities must be in a better condition. They have to look healthy; they have to look the part and play the part as we encourage the community to get more involved [and utilise the facilities],” he said.

“We are basically bringing greater credibility to healthcare at the community level,” he added, noting that 300 additional doctors are being recruited to serve the sector.

Additional improvements at the Green Pond Health Centre will include an on-site pharmacy and increased access to medical doctors, who will provide services from Monday to Friday.

For his part, Parish Manager for St. James Health Services, Lennox Wallace, reiterated the commitment to expanding services at the Green Pond Health Centre and other facilities in the parish.

He pointed out that St. James has been a focal point for health centre upgrades under Operation Refresh, with recent improvements made to facilities in Barrett Town, Flanker, Catherine Hall, Granville, Cambridge, and Catadupa.

Moreover, Mr. Wallace noted the significant investments in medical equipment, including nine brand-new dental chairs.

Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Richard Vernon, noted the importance of accessible and well-equipped community health centres in fostering a healthy and productive population.

He said that primary healthcare facilities are important in promoting sustainable development by providing essential services in remote areas and applauded the dedication of health workers in helping to advance the sector.