Ministry finalising Hurricane Melissa health centre repair bill

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is wrapping up field reviews so it can settle the bill for restoring health centres damaged by Hurricane Melissa.

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton reported that roughly 100 centres in the five parishes hit hardest — St Elizabeth, Trelawny, Hanover, Westmoreland and St James — are first in line for work. He said engineering teams are already on site measuring damage and preparing estimates.

“They were in St Elizabeth... visiting the facilities, and we anticipate that in the next month or so, we will have a better handle on what the costs are and then we will start the more substantial renovation,” he said.

Tufton spoke at the recent reopening of the Craighead Health Centre in Manchester. That upgrade cost $45.6 million under Operation REFRESH and covered roof work, new windows and doors, air-conditioning, solar panels for energy savings, floor tiling, new furnishings, and improved bathrooms for staff and patients. An old staff cottage was converted into a clinical space with sturdy concrete walls. The grounds were fenced for security, and a 20-space car park was added.

Operation REFRESH is a ministry programme financed by the National Health Fund. It seeks to restore health centres islandwide, lifting their appearance, usefulness, and the experience of people who use them. Tufton said the effort is well under way, with a centre coming back online nearly every week.

“While Operation REFRESH continues, we are also looking at substantial renovations of some that are under the Health System Strengthening Programme. Some will be opened in Old Harbour, St Jago and Portmore,” he said.