Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica, 17 February 2023 (PAHO) – As part of the ‘Smart’ or Strengthening Health Care Facilities in the Caribbean Project, the upgraded Port Antonio Health Centre was officially handed over to the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) after the retrofitting of the health facility was completed in 2022 by the contractor Argo Development Studio. This facility was retrofitted to become safer, greener, and more resilient to natural disasters and climate change. A total of 12 facilities were upgraded and an additional 2 full designs were handed over to the MOHW in Jamaica as part of this project.
The Port Antonio Health Center was fully retrofitted to a ‘gold’ project standard to improve its resistance across a range of hazards including strong winds, flooding, and earthquakes and to reduce its environmental footprint.
The safety upgrades included the replacement of damaged timber roofs, waterproofing and strengthening of connections, installation of new doors and hurricane impact rated windows, replacement of damaged floor finishes with introduction of antimicrobial floor surfaces in critical clinical areas, upgrades to the electrical network and the introduction of firefighting equipment and improvement of fire detection devices.
The green upgrades provided for more efficient cooling, ventilation and waste management, installation of a rainwater harvesting system and improved storm water drainage, use of LED-lighting, solar water heaters and a 15kW Photovoltaic system - all aimed at lowering the operating expenditures and improving contingency measures by providing backup power and water in emergencies.
The functional upgrades included the expansion of the facility patient waiting area, installation of appropriate emergency exits throughout the facility and new disabled access ramp next to the extended waiting area. The cabinetry and washroom facilities were improved throughout, and a new disabled patient toilet was installed.
Mr. Ian Stein, PAHO/WHO Representative in Jamaica stated, "We at PAHO/WHO are pleased that our collaboration with UKAID has culminated in the retrofitting of a total of twelve health centres in Jamaica. Transforming primary health care and making it fit-for-purpose requires the ongoing 'smartening' of all health care facilities to increase sustainability, respond to the impact of all hazards, and better handle environmental changes."
He continued, "The technical cooperation provided by PAHO/WHO is integrally linked to the disaster risk reduction priorities of the Americas and Jamaica’s Climate Change Policy Framework, which will enshrine ’Smart’ standards in the new construction and retrofitting of health facilities, as well as maintain project gains."
British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Judith Slater told the attendees: “I am delighted to be here for the handover of these upgraded critical health facilities and see their transformation. The UK is proud to support Jamaica’s efforts to reduce disaster vulnerability of vital public buildings and boost its climate resilience. This important work has also provided a helpful platform for risk reduction planning within the health sector, with ‘SMART’ resilience standards and a rollout to more facilities hopefully being a part of Jamaica’s health sector adaptation strategy going forward. COVID -19 has further highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and contingency measures at health facilities for staff and patients. The improvements will require careful and timely maintenance to operate consistently and deliver their services most effectively for the people of Jamaica”.
Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Wellness, noted that climate change issues are cross-cutting and health services often disrupted during and following weather-related events. Preserving health is, therefore central to discussions for sustainable development. "It is with this in mind that we welcome yet another SMART facility under the PAHO-implemented project to build resilience and safeguard healthcare delivery against crises."
The £46.3m Strengthening Health Facilities in the Caribbean (Smart Hospital) project is currently implemented in 7 countries: Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Belize, Guyana and Jamaica. The project is funded by UKaid through its Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the Caribbean and implemented by PAHO in close collaboration with the Ministries of Health of the selected countries.
The other 11 health facilities that were retrofitted under this project in Jamaica were St. Ann’s Bay (full retrofit), Gayle, Albert Town, Darliston (medium retrofits), Norman Gardens, Sydenham, Yallahs, Windward Road and Cumberland Road Health Centres (small retrofits). The final 2 facilities, Mandeville and Santa Cruz Health Centres were completed on 20th January 2023. The ceremonial handover for these latter facilities will be conducted in April 2023. In addition to the 12 retrofitted facilities, 2 full designs were handed over to the Ministry of Health and Wellness for Catherine Hall Health Centre and Stony Hill Health Centre.
SAFER + GREENER + MAINTAINED = SMART
