ADELPHI, St James — As Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton pushes ahead with efforts to ensure that Jamaicans are not overly uncomfortable while in line to access health care at State-run facilities, he is mulling adding air conditioning to the waiting area at Adelphi Health Centre in St James.

“The only reason this area is not air-conditioned — and we are going to consider it because I asked them to look at it — is that we are going to have to enclose it. It was built in a way for a pass-through of the wind but it will take nothing to enclose it and put AC in it,” he told residents and political representatives gathered for the official opening of the centre last Thursday.

The move, he said, would be in line with the ministry’s wider goals.

“I’ve given instructions that our patients who visit our primary health care or our community health centres must feel comfortable as they wait to be served. And our doctors and nurses must serve in an environment where they, in fact, feel comfortable and motivated to serve. That is what Operation Refresh is about,” Tufton explained.

He pointed out that St James, in particular, has benefited significantly with several of its health centres already upgraded and there are plans to do more soon.

“We have 24 health centres in the parish of St James. Eleven of those 24, over the last five years, have seen substantial improvements including this brand new one right here at Adelphi,” the health minister said.

“When I say substantial, I don’t mean a million dollars there and a door here and a window there. I’m talking about substantial renovations, expansion, more concrete and mortar, more equipment, roofing, all the critical things that have enhanced the quality of that infrastructure,” he added.

Despite Thursday’s ceremony, Adelphi Health Centre has been in use since January 2023. Equipped with a pharmacy and dental facilities, it replaced another building that remains on the same property.

“This is the second major health facility that they have funded in my constituency, the first being Barrett Town and now Adelphi,” said an obviously pleased Member of Parliament for St James East Central Edmund Bartlett.

“Now we are looking at Hampton [which] is to start in January,” he added.

The MP explained that Hampton is significant because it is perhaps the area’s only mother and child facility.

There is no indication yet of the cost but Adelphi Health Centre had a $65-million price tag. It was funded through the European Union’s Poverty Reduction Programme; the implementation agency was the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

Head of the European Union delegation to Jamaica Dr Erja Askola said the development is in line with what the EU is seeking to accomplish.

“Our common goal with the Government of Jamaica and with our partners is to strengthen health systems in Jamaica and to improve the quality of life of Jamaicans,” she said during her address.

“This is why we are constructing or renovating these health facilities and providing the needed equipment,” Askola added.

According to Tufton, work that will be done at another 11 health centres in St James will range from upgrades to expansion.

“We [are] doing a design now for solar panels for sustainability, rain water harvesting systems, generating capacity for power just in case the light goes or the electricity goes,” he said.

“A kitchen for the staff with microwave, refrigerator, waiting area, chairs, TV screen on the wall to provide health information, clean bathrooms, running water — these are supposed to be standard in every one of the 24 health centres in the parish of St James,” Tufton added.