Work Progressing Well on Western Children and Adolescent Hospital

Construction is progressing well on the Western Children and Adolescent Hospital in Montego Bay, St. James, says Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton.

“I think we’re close to the second floor now and it’s going up day by day. I’m very encouraged that it is going to be a really nice institution, based on what we see is happening,” Dr. Tufton outlined.

He was addressing journalists during a recognition ceremony for US Nurses attached to the Government’s ‘CODE CARE’ programme, held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa in St. James, on Tuesday, December 6.

Dr. Tufton noted that proactive steps are being taken to keep the work on schedule for the 250-bed seven-floor hospital being constructed for approximately $5 billion on the compound of the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

The Government and China are funding the project, which resumed in 2022, following delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“So, the Children’s Hospital is going well. I think we’re being proactive and looking at what is required and then pushing on getting the pace that is required by either bringing in the labour or the working hours that are necessary to keep the project on track,” the Minister pointed out.

He noted that there were some issues with finding local skilled labour, in addition to carpenters, masons and others, for the project. As such, the Minister said he anticipates more skilled labour coming in from China to support the project.

“What we need to do as a country is to upskill where we can and provide the opportunities for upskilling, so that all of us can share in those gains,” the Minister said.

When completed, the state-of-the-art hospital will treat children and adolescents up to 18 years old across Western Jamaica.

In the meantime, Dr. Tufton pointed out that Cornwall Regional Hospital is currently in Phase 2B of its construction, where work is being done on putting in steel, concrete reinforcement, and roofing.

He added that planning is now being carried out on the final phase of the construction scheduled for 2023 and will incorporate installing partitions, windows, doors and more.

“I am hoping that if we don’t occupy the full building, we occupy parts of the building sometime in the latter part of next year. That is going to depend on the pace of work,” he said.

Dr. Tufton noted that other hospitals across the island are earmarked for rehabilitation and construction, including those in Spanish Town, May Pen and St. Ann’s Bay.

“Cornwall Regional Hospital has been a sort of case study in how to deal with the other public health facilities. So, I’m encouraged that Cornwall would be a great lesson for us [and] also will be an amazing institution and infrastructure when it’s completed,” he said.