McKenzie orders immediate repairs to St Ann Infirmary
Published:Saturday | August 19, 2023 | 12:08 AMCarl Gilchrist/Gleaner Writer
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has ordered that repairs begin urgently on the St Ann Infirmary and has pledged $50 million towards this, even as he admits that the Government is seeking to relocate the facility at a cost of some $100 million.
After touring the infirmary on Friday, McKenzie expressed disappointment at its state, especially the kitchen area, and said that the permanent secretary should have an estimate for the project within a week so work may begin.
“If I tell you I’m pleased, I’d be lying. I am disappointed about the condition of the infirmary. The maintenance is exceedingly poor,” McKenzie told reporters after the tour.
The minister contends that while the building is old and close to the sea, which affects the facility, it could have been better maintained. He said based on its current condition, his ministry is going to have to spend the money to upgrade it.
“It’s going to take a good amount of money, especially for the kitchen; we have to put down literally a new kitchen. We have to ensure the building is sanitised as it is infested with chi-chi (termites), so that is one of the first order of business,” McKenzie noted.
“We’re going to pay some attention to the bathroom, the male section. ... The permanent secretary will have direct responsibility for how that $50 million is going to be [spent], working with the municipal corporation in executing the funds, because to provide $50 million at this time, and if we do get a call within the next three months to say, ‘Yes, the lands are available [to build a new infirmary]’, we’re going to have a find another $100 million to build a new facility.
He said that he would be speaking with the mayor about the condition of the facility and to register his displeasure,
“What I’ve seen here leaves a lot to be desired,” McKenzie said.
GRATEFUL FOR FUNDS
St Ann’s Bay Mayor Sydney Stewart said he was happy that funds are to be provided for the facility as the municipality cannot foot the bill to carry out the necessary maintenance.
“I concur with the minister, the minister made the point that he is disappointed with the maintenance of the infirmary. That’s something we’ve been concerned about as a municipality for a very long time,” Stewart told The Gleaner afterwards in reacting to McKenzie’s comments.
“But we have been doing ongoing maintenance in relation to what we can afford to do; we did remedial work, but because the facility is an old building, as we do something here, then another problem exists somewhere else, resulting out of that it puts the infirmary, the structure, in a position where it is not looking satisfactory ... .”
Prior to the infirmary tour, McKenzie opened Ocho Rios Night Shelter, which was built at a cost of $22 million. Located next to the Ocho Rios Drop-In Centre, it offers a place for homeless persons to sleep.
St Ann North East Member of Parliament Marsha Smith welcomed the shelter, noting that it will benefit some of society’s most vulnerable.
Ocho Rios Division Councillor Michael Belnavis welcomed the shelter as a divine intervention.