Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson participated in the contract signing ceremony today for two of three multi-million dollar contracts for the development of the Isaac Barrant Health Centre into a Primary Health Care Centre of Excellence.

Speaking at the event which was held on the grounds of the health centre in Golden Grove, St. Thomas, Dr. Ferguson said this is the second of the four sets of contracts that will be signed for the development of Centres of Excellence at the Primary Health Care Level, one in each Regional Health Authority.  Contracts were signed a few weeks ago for the development of the Santa Cruz Health Centre in St. Elizabeth.

“It marks our solid commitment to improving access to health and healthcare services at the Primary health care level.  We recognise that a solid primary health care system is the foundation of all successful health systems around the globe.  My Government has committed to providing universal access at the primary care level and we are delivering on this promise.  Let me assure you that this is just the start of great things to come,” he said.

The contracts are for the development of infrastructure and services at Isaac Barrant health centre. One, which was awarded to Thomas Hamilton and Associates Company Limited, will focus on the refurbishing of the external areas of the facility at a cost of near $7.2 million. A second has been awarded to Constructions Solutions Limited for the renovation of the dental area at a cost of approximately $5 million. A third contract, which is in the process of being finalized, involves the renovation of the curative block and is valued at $13 million.  The total project cost is approximately $25 million.

Dr. Ferguson said “with the development of these Centres of Excellence, we are confident that we can rebuild public confidence in the primary health care system and by virtue of that reduce the burden on secondary and tertiary facilities.  The Centres will also assist us to determine the way forward in terms of the reconfiguration of the primary health care system and the upgrade of other health centres to better serve the needs of our population.”

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 Contact: MOH, Public Relations Unit Tel: 967-1561

You can view this press release and other information on our website at www.moh.gov.jm