Prime Minister Breaks Ground for New Matron’s Quarters at Hanover Infirmary
By: , January 22, 2024
Photo: Mark Bell
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (third left, front row) and Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (fourth left, front row), break ground for the construction of a Matron’s quarters at the Hanover Infirmary, on Friday ( January 19). Also participating are (from left) Member of Parliament for Hanover Eastern, Dave Brown; Matron of the Infirmary, Kayon Dyer; Member of Parliament for Hanover Western, Tamika Davis and Councillor for the Lucea Division, Easton Edwards. Observing in the background (from left) are Councillor for the Hopewell Division, Devon Brown; Councillor for the Riverside Division, Daren Barnes (partially hidden) and Councillor Caretaker for the Green Island Division, Demar McKenzie.The Full Story
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, broke ground for the construction of a new matron’s quarters at the Hanover Infirmary on Friday (January 19).
The building is being constructed at a cost of some $16 million, and the addition of furnishings is expected to bring that total to $20 million.
During the proceedings, a therapeutic park was also officially opened at the facility, which was constructed at a cost of $5 million.
Mr. Holness noted that through the addition of these new infrastructure, the Government is aiming to improve the quality of life of the residents.
“We have opened up this lovely therapeutic park at the infirmary, the place designated to deal with [persons] who are destitute and have no one to take care of them. We are making sure that we don’t just stick them into a four by four and leave them; that we spend to improve their quality of life,” the Prime Minister said.
“We have broken ground for the matron’s quarters to improve the administration of the affairs of the people who reside in the infirmary. Good things are happening,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, underscored the significance of the new matron’s quarters and therapeutic park.
“It [the park] is one of the new features of local government in terms of putting in the kind of comfort to keep our residents occupied and to give them a sense of purpose,” Mr. Holness said.
“The construction of the matron’s quarters is very significant because what this will do is to allow the matron, who is always on 24 hours call, to be on site so that if anything happens, she can respond in a timely manner and to give the kind of support that is required,” he added.
Mr. McKenzie commended the Matron of the facility, Kayon Dyer, and the staff at the Hanover infirmary, as well as the technical staff from the Ministry, for the work done at the facility.
The new park is the sixth constructed, to date, at infirmaries across the island.