Jamaica advances 55-bridge rebuild plan as health recovery and Denbigh show dates set

Plans to fast-track Jamaica's national bridge rehabilitation programme have moved into a late technical and financing phase, with an updated technical offer now submitted and final negotiations and approvals expected over the coming weeks.

Works portfolio minister Robert Morgan told Parliament during last week's 2026–2027 sectoral debate that the initiative is shifting from policy approval into technical development, financing, and eventual construction. Under the programme, 55 bridges islandwide will be rehabilitated or rebuilt, including seven emergency structures to address urgent connectivity needs while the wider replacement effort proceeds. Twenty of the planned bridges are slated for areas hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.

Morgan said each crossing requires design work plus environmental and social due diligence, including geotechnical assessments under the PIMS process. "It's about building greater resilience, not just in bridges, but our road network," he said, adding that bridges must withstand stronger floods, heavier flows, and changing rainfall patterns.

On post-Melissa health recovery, the government has spent roughly $3.8 billion on repairs to health facilities and related response measures, with an estimated 300,000 Jamaicans benefiting from the initial outlay. Health minister Dr Christopher Tufton, speaking at a recent post-Cabinet briefing at Jamaica House, said about 64 design briefs have been received for health centres earmarked for rehabilitation. Repairs at Black River Hospital are nearing completion, with patient services set to expand in coming weeks. More than 2,600 healthcare workers in the Western and Southern regional health authorities have received psycho-social, financial, and material support.

Tufton also announced a call for proposals under the $500 million Community Arranged Response Efforts (CARE) Fund, inviting registered community-based, faith-based, and other civil society groups to apply for projects aimed at improving community health outcomes. Applications, due Friday, 31 July 2026, can be submitted via moh.gov.jm/carefund. "The CARE Fund … It's not a slush fund," Tufton said, stressing that objectives must be met and proper documentation maintained.

Maternal care at Victoria Jubilee Hospital received a boost through a donation valued at about $32 million—13 cardiotocography machines and one ultrasound unit—from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Food for the Poor Jamaica.

Senior science and technology adviser Trevor Forrest told the recently concluded 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference that mandatory artificial intelligence training will be rolled out across the public sector to improve efficiency and responsible use of the technology.

The 72nd Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show will run from 31 July to 2 August at the Denbigh Showground in May Pen, Clarendon, under the theme "Growing Forward, Cultivating a Path to a Better Jamaica." Agriculture minister Floyd Green said the event will celebrate farmers and support sector recovery after Melissa. The Jamaica Agricultural Society will distribute 1,000 complimentary tickets and arrange transport for producers from parishes most affected by the hurricane.