THE MINISTRY of Local Government has signed two contracts totalling $12 million for the repair and rehabilitation of the Santa Cruz Infirmary in St. Elizabeth, and the Grey Ground Infirmary in Manchester.
Some $4 million will be spent to repair the St. Elizabeth facility while $8 million will be spent to refurbish the Manchester operation.
According to the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), the repairs are being facilitated through the Health Support Fund of the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the respective Parish Councils and the technical arm of the Local Government Ministry.
INFRASTRUCTURAL FAULTS
"Following a detailed assessment of the present conditions of the infirmaries islandwide, the Ministry of Health found that one major cause for concern was the inadequate infrastructure and deteriorating physical facilities that are currently housing the indigent," the JIS release said.
The St. Elizabeth and Manchester institutions are part of a pilot project, which also includes the May Pen Infirmary in Clarendon and the Morant Bay Infirmary in St. Thomas.
At the Santa Cruz Infirmary, repairs will be carried out on roofs and the electrical supply system, while at Grey Ground, work will be done on the roof, and a new building will be constructed to accommodate new male wards. The plumbing and electrical systems will also be repaired. The duration of the projects will be three and six months, respectively.
