Ground broken for expansion of Greater Portmore Health Centre

By Racquel Porter   

 

The Ministry of Health says by 2026, residents of Portmore in St. Catherine will benefit from a $660 million investment.

 

The ministry on Wednesday signed a contract and broke ground for the expansion of the Greater Portmore Health Centre under the Health System Strengthening Programme.

 

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says this is in response to a steady increase in patient visits over the years and the need for more modern facilities. 

 

"The upgrading of our health infrastructure is not being done in any other way except that the people who live in the communities need the added and improved services. And if we are doing it any other way, Fitz [Jackson] wouldn't get the first one; if I am to be very politically correct, we'd probably find somewhere else and put it," he quipped, pointing to the fact that the investment was not first given to constituencies led by Jamaica Labour Party members of Parliament. 

 

The expansion will transform the Type 3 facility into a Type 5 comprehensive primary healthcare centre, providing a range of services including laboratory services and an X-ray room, among others.

 

Funding for the expansion is provided primarily by the European Union, with the Government of Jamaica covering the cost of biomedical equipment and furniture.