Bridge programme advances as Jamaica rolls out health recovery, Denbigh show and drone standards

Preparations for the government's accelerated bridge programme have moved into an advanced phase, with updated technical offers submitted and negotiations plus final 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 progressing from policy approval toward technical development, financing, and execution. Each bridge requires design work and environmental and social due diligence, including geotechnical assessments through the PIMs process to confirm projects are fit for purpose.

Under the programme, 55 bridges island-wide will be rehabilitated or rebuilt, including 20 in areas devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Seven emergency bridges will also be accommodated so the government can respond to urgent connectivity needs while advancing the wider national bridge replacement effort.

"It's about building greater resilience, not just in bridges, but our road network," Morgan said. "Our bridges must be designed to withstand stronger floods, heavier flows, changing rainfall patterns. Hurricane Melissa reminded us that weak links in the road network can quickly become points of isolation."

On health, the government has spent approximately $3.8 billion on repairs to facilities and the wider health care recovery response following Hurricane Melissa, serving an estimated 300,000 Jamaicans. Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said roughly 64 design briefs have been received for health centres scheduled for rehabilitation, while repairs at Black River Hospital are nearing completion and patient services are expected to expand in the coming weeks. More than 2,600 health care workers in the western and southern regional health authorities have received psychosocial and material support.

Tufton announced a formal call for proposals under the $500-million Community Arranged Response Efforts (CARE) fund. Registered community-based, faith-based, and other civil society groups may apply through moh.gov.jm/carefund by Friday, 31 July 2026. He said the fund is an intentional investment in community involvement in public health, not a handout.

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

Government employees will undergo mandatory training in artificial intelligence as part of efforts to modernise public-sector service delivery, senior adviser Trevor Forrest said at the recently concluded 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference.

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 Jamaica Agricultural Society will distribute 1,000 complimentary tickets and transport for farmers from parishes most affected by Hurricane Melissa.

In May 2026, the Bureau of Standards Jamaica launched four national standards—three on unmanned aircraft systems and one on geographic information metadata—creating an internationally aligned framework for safe drone use and high-quality geospatial data across sectors including agriculture, logistics, disaster response, and security.