Work continues on the Western Children and Adolescent Hospital

CONSTRUCTION OF the Western Children and Adolescent Hospital in Montego Bay, St James, will continue during the new financial year, from an allocation of more than $800 million.

Details of the project are outlined in the 2024/2025 Estimates of Expenditure, tabled in the House of Representatives on February 15 by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr Nigel Clarke.

The Government is building a 220-bed facility on the compound of the Cornwall Regional Hospital to provide medical services for children and adolescents up to 18 years across western Jamaica.

Building works up to the end of December 2023, including site clearance and widening of the road leading to the construction site, utility relocation and reconnection, and security services have been completed.

Phases I and II parking facilities have been completed, and structural works for the main building and the nurses’ residence have been completed.

Among the targets for the upcoming financial year are completion of structural works for the morgue and underground water tanks, completion of all external works, and procurement of furniture, instalment of equipment in the main building, and nurses’ residence.

The Western Children Adolescent Hospital will be the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. It is being funded by the governments of Jamaica and the People’s Republic of China.