MORE than 5,000 residents in and around the community of James Hill in Clarendon are soon to benefit from a type three health centre, which is to be constructed at a cost of $19.2 million by the Ministry of Health.

Health Minister Horace Dalley told the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Health in Kingston yesterday that the ministry had also identified $10 million from its budget to begin the rehabilitation of more than over 400 clinics and health centres across the island, and will be seeking funds from other government agencies to sustain the project.

“We are embarking upon a modernisation programme to bring better health care to Jamaica,” Dalley said. “We will be targeting small health centres…because unless you fix the primary health care facilities, you are going to have a strain on the hospital.”

Dalley, who is the member of parliament for Northern Clarendon, where James Hill is located, said the community lacked several critical amenities, including the absence of a “good up-to-date health facility”. He paid tribute to a church in the community which had turned its basement into a temporary clinic for the residents.

Vincent Williamson, project coordinator, said the new health centre would take at least four months to be completed, and that the construction of the 2,300 square-foot structure would mean that scores of residents would no longer have to travel long distances to access health care.

Williamson said at least nine communities, including James Hill, will benefit from the health centre.

“I am really thank the MP to hand us something of this great measure,” a resident attending the contract signing said. “It is not easy for us to travel all the way to Frankfield to go to the clinic.”

Calvin Walker, managing director of Walcan and Associates, the contractor, told the signing ceremony that he would ensure that the project is completed on time and within the budget.

Dr Denise Goffe, director of health services planning and integration at the Ministry of Health, said the type three health centre would be offering medical and dental services along with traditional services such as family planning, immunisation and nutrition. The health centre will be staffed with a full-time doctor and a full-time pharmacist.