Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

( L - R ) George Lee, Keith Hinds - photos by Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

If elected Mayor of Portmore, Keith Hinds, the Jamaica Labour Party candidate, wants greater dialogue on the construction of a private hospital in the municipality.

But this is not because Mr. Hinds is against the building of the private hospital in the Sunshine City. He said there is the need for greater dialogue with residents.

The breaking of ground for the construction of a J$2.7 billion (US$40 million) private hospital in Portmore is slated to take place in February, according to Mayor George Lee.

Construction plan submitted

Mr. Lee told a Gleaner Editors' Forum yesterday that CayJam Developments Ltd., a property development company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, has submitted a plan for the construction of the hospital on about 100 acres of land that was purchased from the National Insurance Fund.

"In terms of a hospital, Portmore needs to have an adequate public facility, one that people can get access to," Mr. Hinds said.

"On Wednesday, when I am elected, my good friend Mr. Lee's people from Cayman would have to come to my office and explain to Portmore, what exactly the city is going to get," Mr. Hinds said.

"I just want it to be made clear about what are the costs that could reach the people of Portmore," he added.

Consultations done

Mr. Lee said that there have been several consultations about the building of the hospital and the potential cost to residents. He said that there will be more and has noted that "there is a plan by the hospital to mitigate the cost for people with health plans".

Mr. Lee added that the developers will be constructing an upscale housing project, as well as a campus for an overseas university in Portmore.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com