Ground was broken on Thursday for the construction of a six-storey medical tower at University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) that Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher described as a strategic move by the Government to further modernise the country’s health-care system.

The project, from construction through to oufitting the building with vital medical equipment, will cost approximately $14.2 billion.

Once finished, it will house a pharmacy, wards, a neonatal nursery, special-care nursery, diagnostic and radiology services, patient reception, minor operating theatres, administrative offices, visitor and staff amenities, and more.

“There are some who feel that why are we spending $14 billion on the University Hospital of the West Indies when it attracts a fee, in some instances, for those who want access, and there are other hospitals across Jamaica that need upgrading,” Dr Tufton said.

“We take the point that our health infrastructure needs upgrades across the board, and indeed this Government is doing more than most to do that upgrade. But health works as a hub and spoke system. If the University of the West Indies is not in a position to train more doctors and nurses to fill the gaps that exist out there, then we would likely lose the fully optimised benefit of having an improved system by just building out hospitals and health centres in the rest of the country,” he explained.

Dr Tufton also noted that the wider health-care ecosystem cannot thrive if UHWI does not remain true to its mandate of providing health-care support.

“This is where most of the heart of the research of the medicine takes place. This is where the experts are concentrated. This is where most of the teaching has to take place, both in practical and in theory. We have to ensure that you are modern and modernised so that we get the benefit of your much broader mandate than just treating with patients as is the case across the country,” Tufton said.

“The equipment within that building is going to be very important… we are talking about millions of dollars. That’s important because the training and the service levels; we want the University Hospital of the West Indies to be comparable to any similar hospital in the world, and therefore we took a decision strategically that we are going to invest in the most modern equipment so our doctors and nurses can have the best and therefore provide the best possible service,” he said.

However, Dr Tufton emphasised the need for cultural change in the soft skills of service delivery.

“Where I believe we need to do more is on the softer skills of delivering services to our people. They are very soft; it’s a good morning, good evening, it’s a bathroom that works, it’s running water, it’s a toilet that flushes,” he said.

Chief of medical staff at UHWI Dr Carl Bruce said the facility is expected to be a beacon of advancement in training, research, and patient care.

He said the ground breaking signals the kick-off of another construction milestone under the first phase of the UHWI redevelopment and modernisation project.

Dr Bruce said that both the hospital and the University of the West Indies play an integral role in the local community, providing critical care and leadership training for healthcare professionals.

He added that alongside the physical upgrades, work is underway to enhance the hospital’s human resources in order to improve the overall quality of care for Jamaicans.

Meanwhile, UHWI Chairman Patrick Hylton said the facility is a key development in the country’s health-care system.

“This building will expand our capacity to serve, bringing cutting-edge technology and expanding services closer to home for thousands of families,” he said.

“We should focus on the fact that what we are doing is creating a legacy for generations to come. Families will find comfort here during difficult times, lives will be saved, health will be restored, and hope will be renewed within the walls of this six-storey building,” Hylton said.

Finance Minister Fayval Williams, who is also the Member of Parliament for St Andrew Eastern where the hospital is located, said the project “represents a modern Jamaica, one where we invest in innovation, expand access to world-class healthcare and equip our people, our professionals, our families, our children, with the tools to live longer, healthier, and more empowered lives”.

“These achievements that you are witnessing today represent real advancements in health equity through modernising facilities, scaling access to treatment, supporting ageing populations and embracing technological innovations to deliver effective, compassionate and inclusive care to Jamaicans,” she said.

Chinese firm ZDA Construction Limited has been contracted to build the tower, which is expected to be completed by 2029.

An artist’s rendering of the six-storey state-of-the-art medical tower which will be built at the University Hospital of the West Indies.