Construction has now moved into the above-ground phase on the six-storey tower being built at Spanish Town Hospital.
The project, which is being carried out under the Health Systems Strengthening Programme (HSSP), has successfully concluded Phase Two of the foundation works, and work is now advancing to the construction of the ground and first floors, which are expected to be completed by the beginning of the new year.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr the Hon. Christopher Tufton, toured the site and expressed confidence in the continued progress.
“So far, the team has completed the second phase of the foundation, which paves the way for vertical construction to begin,” the Minister remarked. “The foundation is a very large and complex structure that has required multiple steps over the last year, such as excavation, compaction, termite treatment, steel work, waterproofing, and several concrete pours to ensure the highest quality footing for this massive building.”
He continued: “Now that we’re fully out of the ground and advancing to the construction of the ground floor and first floor, we expect to see walls going up rapidly for the rest of this year and throughout 2026.”
Upon completion, the new six-storey building will house a range of modern clinical and diagnostic services, including an Accident and Emergency wing, radiology (MRI, CT, X-ray), outpatient services, operating theatres, specialty wards, and the integrated electronic health records (EHR) system, e-Care, that is being piloted under HSSP.
Orett Clarke, Programme Manager for the HSSP, noted that the project team has put stringent measures in place to mitigate noise and dust pollution, and will continue to do so as works progress.
Representatives from the management team at Spanish Town Hospital and other key stakeholders in attendance confirmed that so far there have been no major disruptions to traffic or the Hospital’s operations since the beginning of construction, and are hoping to continue on the same trajectory for the remainder of the project.
The redevelopment is valued at approximately JMD 5.5 billion, and is being funded through the HSSP via allocations from the Government of Jamaica, with oversight and support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
This project is one of four facilities in St Catherine under HSSP, along with the development of three comprehensive health centres: Old Harbour, Greater Portmore, and St Jago Park. Construction works at these three health centres are all on track for completion next year, with Old Harbour currently being the furthest advanced at 52 per cent complete.