Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton says the phased reopening of Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, St. James, is expected to begin shortly.

Providing an update on the rehabilitation and redevelopment project during a sitting of the Standing Finance Committee last Thursday (March 6), Tufton advised that the phasing “will hopefully happen within the next few weeks or so” with the opening of the administration section, which he noted “is considered the nerve of the facility”.

“Last week I was there. The administrative wing is now complete. It is nicely furnished really, really looking good and is reflective of the new facility that is going to be in place,” he said.

“The next important area will be IT (information technology), the server rooms and from there we continue to phase,” he added.

Responding to a question regarding the revision of the completion date for the project from 2026 to 2027/28, Dr. Tufton said the new timeline is “out of an abundance of caution”.

“Don’t be startled about the date that is stated. Cornwall Regional’s main building… is going to be in operation or, I daresay, the greater parts of it will be in operation long before that date,” he assured.

He further noted that having completed the air-quality testing, “we do anticipate more openings [of sections of the building] during this year and most of them into the course of early next year, maybe first quarter or so”.

He reminded the committee that the provision of medical services at Cornwall Regional continues and never ceased.

Turning to the Western Children and Adolescent Hospital, Tufton said the buildout of the main building is completed, and the “internals” are being put in, including partitions, ward space, windows, doors, and other works.

He said that scoping for equipment is also being done.

Tufton reminded the committee that the project, which is a gift from the Chinese Government to the people of Jamaica, does not account for all the equipment to be placed in the facility.

“The aid support came with some equipment. What we are doing now is re-scoping or scoping the additional equipment that is required for the building,” he informed.

“What we have to start looking at now is what would make the facility complete, and it was never accounted for 100 per cent, so that’s what we’re trying to re-scope and deal with,” the minister emphasised.