LUCEA, Hanover — ALSTON Esmie, the technical director in the department of local government, said last week that land is being sought in the Hopewell area of Hanover for the construction of an infirmary.

According to Esmie, the proposed facility will house residents who will not be able to gain accommodation at the $20 million infirmary in Lucea, scheduled for construction by year-end.

“The MP (D K Duncan) is searching for land to construct the infirmary,” chairman of the Hanover Parish Council, Lloyd Hill, confirmed yesterday.

Construction of a new infirmary in Lucea — to replace the present rickety structure, which houses more than 50 residents — is scheduled to commence next month, said Esmie, during a special sitting of the Hanover Parish Council last Thursday.

“The infirmary is in a dilapidated condition and there is no way we can treat our elderly in that manner by having them in such conditions. Moreover, with the hurricane season upon us, it is even more critical for the residents in that institution,” he argued.

The proposed new infirmary, which will be constructed using a technology called ‘Free Form’, is expected to comfortably accommodate 50 residents.

The conditions under which the residents are being kept at the Lucea infirmary have been a source of concern for more than 20 years.

The buildings on the property have been characterised by rotting boards, huge cracks in the walls, large holes in the ceilings, and rusty zinc sheets, particularly in the male ward.

Other buildings on the seafront property, including the matron’s quarters, dining areas and administrative offices are also a disgrace.

Just over two months ago, councillors from both sides of the political divide of the council, in an unusual show of unity, staged a peaceful protest on the grounds of the Infirmary to highlight the need for the construction of a new facility.