Upgraded and Retrofitted Santa Cruz Health Centre Handed Over

The upgraded and retrofitted Santa Cruz Health Centre in St. Elizabeth was officially handed over to the Ministry of Health and Wellness on Thursday, January 18.

This state-of-the-art centre has been designated a “smart facility”, with the capability to respond effectively to crises while maintaining core functions during disasters and public health threats, exemplifying the ongoing efforts to fortify the country’s health system.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, who delivered remarks, said that the smart facility is a clear example of the investment in people and infrastructure, adding that “the collaboration with the United Kingdom and our implementing partner, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), is a win for public health in Jamaica and a step in the right direction”.

“Infrastructural resilience remains critical, even as we face the threat of climate issues, emerging diseases and the continued dangers associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” the Minister continued.

He said that the Santa Cruz Health Centre being upgraded to a smart facility is another feather in the cap for St. Elizabeth, noting that the parish’s 23 health centres have each benefited from upgrade and development over the past five years.

“All the health centres have benefited to the tune of $450 million in total. The Black River Hospital has also benefited from $200 million in expenditure,” Dr. Tufton noted, adding that the US$1.4 million that was spent upgrading the Santa Cruz Health Centre, “means that as a parish, St. Elizabeth would have seen significant development in health infrastructure over the past five years.”

Dr. Tufton pointed out that the work at the Santa Cruz facility encompassed both structural and non-structural improvements, with a focus on promoting sustainability.

He explained that on the structural side, notable additions included a new reinforced concrete roof covering the walkway between buildings two and three, as well as a new reinforced concrete walkway and lightweight timber roof connecting all buildings.

Non-structural enhancements involved the installation of hurricane shutters on all windows, the incorporation of two 1,000-gallon potable water storage tanks with a booster pump, and the implementation of various safety measures.

These safety measures include a new fire alarm and public address (PA) system, fire extinguishers, signage and fire hose reels.

In his remarks, PAHO/World Health Organization (WHO) Representative for Jamaica, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, Ian Stein, emphasised the critical nature of designating health facilities as “smart” in developing resilience within the health system.

“Attaining our common objective of transforming the country’s healthcare system and achieving universal health requires strong collaborations and strategic investments to establish a healthcare system capable of effectively navigating challenges and safeguarding the well-being of the population in the face of public health threats,” Mr. Stein said.

Meanwhile, Permanent Under Secretary of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Sir Philip Barton, expressed his delight with the facility, noting that “the blueprint and toolkit developed for this project provide a helpful platform for risk reduction within the health sector going forward”.

We applaud Jamaica’s efforts so far in securing significant additional funding for upgrading more sites and being the first in the region to embed the new standards in their building codes,” he added.