ST JAMES, Jamaica — It would have taken less time to build a new hospital than to complete the delay-plagued Cornwall Regional Hospital renovation project, according to project manager and architect Vivian Gordon. The revelation was made on Wednesday as members of the Opposition People’s National Party toured the facility.

“On a greenfield site, it would have been finished a long time ago,” said Gordon in response to a question asked by Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry member and president of Western Medical Association, Dr Sherridene Lee.

“Under any stretch of the imagination, if you are building a house or a business place, any kind of construction on a greenfield site, it would have been completed,” added Gordon.

Work began on the project six years ago and though the health ministry has recently shied away from providing a new completion date after several have been missed, it is estimated that the project will take another two years. It was originally supposed to be completed in 2019.

During Wednesday’s tour, Opposition spokesperson on health and wellness Dr Morais Guy said he was satisfied with the “structural work” done but expressed concern that by the time the hospital is ready for use, it would be unable to adequately meet users’ needs.

“I think that Cornwall was built in the 70s for a particular population. The reality is that we are now in 2022 and the population of Montego Bay has blossomed significantly. When Cornwall is ready in two years, will it be sufficient to cater for the expanded population? It is something that the health authorities need to look into,” he urged.

While the refurbished hospital would be top tier, Guy noted, he doubted whether it would have the capacity to meet the medical needs of locals as well as visitors to the country who are being assured they will be able to “access… first-class facilities if an emergency should exist”.

The Opposition spokesman on health also expressed concern about the project’s ballooning price tag. He is convinced it will cost more than the amount he said has been floated by health and wellness minister, Dr Christopher Tufton.

“He has insisted persistently that it will not exceed $5 billion. Last year when I toured, I said that based on my estimation and the time it’s going to take, we’re looking at about $10 billion. He rubbished that particular number; but time, time,” said Dr Guy.

He also expressed concern about the timeline for completion, noting that while Tufton opted not to provide a new date, the Opposition is working with 2024, the date he said was given by the project’s technical team. After work ends it will take some time for the facility to be fully put to use, Gordon explained Wednesday.

“One of the concerns I had on the last visit here was the number of persons who are working on the project. Based on what the project managers are telling us, we know that they’re working expeditiously to have this completed by December of this year. And we’re holding him and his team to that particular timeline, all things being equal. As the original director has suggested, I think the completion of Cornwall Regional is impatient of debate. The people of western Jamaica have been without Cornwall for the past six years. And we are adding another two years, at least,” said Dr Guy.

“My hope is that based on what has been advice and reassurance given, our people can have the service of Cornwall Regional as it existed before but at a more modern setting, and that the services here provided will not be as discombobulated,” he added.