Old Harbour, St Catherine – Work is steadily advancing on the new Old Harbour Comprehensive Health Centre, which is now approximately 75 per cent complete. The project, being implemented under the Health Systems Strengthening Programme (HSSP), officially began in February last year, following contractor mobilisation.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, welcomed the progress, as he gave an update on a tour of the facility today.
“So far, the team has finished preparing the site and building the foundation. The main structure is now up, with walls and columns in place,” Tufton said. “The team has finished preparing the site and building the foundation. The main structure is now up, with walls and columns in place. Work has also started on the plumbing and electrical systems, and the roof is 60 per cent complete. The team will now be moving to begin tiling work, and completing the timber roofs.”
The Minister added that finishes, including rendering and plastering, are in progress. “After this, the team will commence activities like the installation of windows and doors, painting, landscaping, and so on,” he told reporters on location.
The project remains on schedule for completion in the first half of this year. Once construction is finished, the HSSP and South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) teams will oversee retrofitting the facility with staff, furniture, modern medical tools, and the Electronic Health Records (EHR) system, e-Care.
Located on East Street in Old Harbour, the 2,000-square-metre facility will replace the existing Type 3 centre that has outgrown its space. The new centre will be equipped to serve up to 10,000 patients per month, offering a wide range of primary healthcare services, including pharmacy, laboratory, ECG, phlebotomy, X-ray, physiotherapy, and screenings for ophthalmology and audiometry. It will also feature dedicated areas for dentistry, mental health, and maternal and child health services.
The project represents an investment of almost JMD 1 billion, covering construction, medical equipment, furniture, and an on-site wastewater treatment plant.
Funding for the construction is primarily provided through the European Union’s grant to the HSSP, while sewage works, furniture and equipment are being procured through the Government of Jamaica investment.