Shadow Health Minister Dr Morais Guy is once again drawing attention to the huge cost overruns that will be incurred for the reconstruction of the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay.

He took the opportunity to do so on a tour of the beleaguered hospital with other members of the Opposition People’s National Party last Wednesday, October 25.

The proposed Paediatric and Adolescent Hospital currently under construction on the hospital grounds has drawn heated debate. The facility will cater specifically to patients up to the age of 18 years, who will now become a specialised hospital.

This would take the treatment of minors out of the hands of the current hospital, which will be reserved for the treatment of just adults. Guy noted that he was reasonably pleased with the progress made since his last visit some eighteen months ago.

Speaking to the media, Guy expressed satisfaction with the work being done on the paediatric hospital and is hopeful that the original plans for completion are on track.

Dr Delroy Fray, clinical co-ordinator at the Western Regional Health Authority, spoke to Our Today during the tour and confirmed that once completed, the hospital will have four functional floors, complete with an Accident and Emergency Centre on the ground floor, as well as, four fully equipped operating theatres.

The timeline for completion of the Western Paediatric and Adolescent Hospital is June 2024. The main building of the original hospital is also under reconstruction.

Guy, in his address, said that he was made aware that the contract to do the final phase of the refurbishment was signed last month and that ZDA Construction had won the bid for the work. This phase would include the designing, building, and retrofitting the main building to facilitate the care of patients.

He pointed out the budget has moved from $10.5 billion to $14.5 billion, with the possibility that it could increase further.

He added that he was made aware that the increase is to account for the cost of the new equipment that would be needed to make the hospital facility fully operational.

The shadow health minister said he has shared his concern about the standardisation of the equipment and whether they may require repair in short order or if the parts for said equipment would be available should the need arise for them. He suggested the two hospitals should share standard equipment so that both facilities can offer the same standard of care and that potential repairs and maintenance of the equipment can be accessed in equal measure.

Concerning the timeline for the main structure, Guy held Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton to his declared deadline. At a town hall meeting earlier this year, Tufton announced that major construction is set to begin next year, with a hope of finishing in mid 2025.

Senator Janice Allen, who was also present, suggested that going forward, quarterly reports should be given to the public to alleviate some of the concerns arising from progress made. Guy, in turn, said that he would take the suggestion to the health minister.

The newly rehabilitated Cornwall Regional Hospital Guy and Allen believe will further enhance Montego Bay’s position as a tourism hub.

With all the developments for hotels currently underway in the parish, a world-class health facility would also serve as a selling point for the area to assuage any hesitation of potential visitors, should a medical emergency arise while they are visiting.

He again reiterated hope that the citizens of the region will soon be able to access the facility and that more work will continue to move the process forward .This, he said, is a matter of national urgency.