New Health Centre Opens In Adelphi, St. James

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, officially opened the new $50-million Adelphi Health Centre in St. James, on October 17.

The new 4,262 square-foot building was funded under the Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP), implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and funded by the European Union (EU).

It replaces the old structure and is now capable of serving approximately 2,000 community members monthly, with enhanced healthcare services.

The building features four consultation rooms, two public health inspector offices, a registration and records office, two dental offices, four restrooms, a pharmacy, two registered nurse/midwife offices, a nebulisation room, treatment room, large waiting area, lunchroom/kitchenette, and a laundry room.

In his address, Dr. Tufton said the improvements aim to provide a comfortable and modern environment for both patients and healthcare staff.

“We have 24 health centres in the parish of St. James. Eleven of those 24, over the last five years, have seen substantial improvements, including this brand-new one right here at Adelphi. I’m talking about substantial renovation, expansion, more concrete and mortar, more equipment, roofing, all the critical things to enhance that infrastructure,” Dr. Tufton explained.

He also announced plans for further enhancements to the remaining facilities under Operation Refresh, a $1-billion initiative, aimed at renovating approximately 100 health centres across Jamaica over the next 18 months.

“Also, across Jamaica, we’re hiring another 370 doctors in our health centres to provide better services at the community level, and St. James is a part of that,” Dr. Tufton outlined.

In the meantime, the Minister pointed to the significant contributions of the EU, JSIF, and local stakeholders in the successful completion of the project in Adelphi.

He said the collaborative effort behind the renovation underscores the importance of partnerships in public health.

Moreover, the new facility aligns with the Government’s comprehensive development plan for health and wellness in St. James, and Jamaica by extension, with a focus on improving community-based healthcare services.

For his part, Member of Parliament for St. James East Central, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, cited the new facility’s potential to serve more than 21,000 people in the area.

Mr. Bartlett, who is also the Tourism Minister, encouraged the community to make full use of the centre, while expressing his gratitude to the healthcare workers, especially the nurses, who had previously worked under challenging conditions.

Head of the EU Delegation to Jamaica, Belize, and The Bahamas, Dr. Erja Askola, said the organisation is open to supporting Jamaica’s inclusive health development efforts.

She noted that the Adelphi Health Centre is one of four in St. James that have been expanded and rehabilitated through the EU’s Poverty Reduction Programme, adding that the others are located in Flanker, Barrett Town and Granville.

“Our common goal with the Government of Jamaica is to strengthen health systems in Jamaica and to improve the quality of life of Jamaicans. This is why we are constructing and renovating these health facilities and providing the well-needed equipment,” Dr. Askola said.