FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Local Government and Community Development Minister Desmond McKenzie says steady progress is being made on a push to replace the Trelawny Infirmary which was severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.

According to McKenzie, work is now under way to install prefabricated units that will temporarily house the facility’s residents, the first time the Government’s container unit solution will be implemented.

“We’re spending about $150 million on this location,” McKenzie said on Thursday during a site visit in Falmouth where excavation and groundwork for the infirmary are now well advanced.

He explained that the first phase of the work, which is estimated to cost about $65 million, is for construction of residential facilities.

“We are going to be putting down a number of self-made containers. We’re doing all the groundwork: putting in the base, and then we’ll be putting in the concrete structure. Once that is done, based on what the contractor said to me…within another week and a half they’ll be ready to start the pouring, to put the concrete base. So that by the end of January to the second week of February, we will be putting down the containers,” said an enthusiastic McKenzie.

He also provided details on the second phase, saying it will include construction of a storeroom, laundry facility, staff accommodation, and an isolation facility.

“This property, within another two to three months, we will transform this. You will see a total rebuild of the Trelawny Infirmary which was totally devastated by Melissa. We are now well advanced in finding a…permanent location for the infirmary,” McKenzie assured.

The units, he noted, are designed to last 10 to 12 years and withstand future storms. Recent rains have slowed work, but McKenzie is hoping the weather will not continue to pose a challenge.

“I am satisfied with what is happening so far…I’m hoping that we’ll have good skies, good weather so that we can push on the work…so that the residents can finally come back to comfort,” he said.

Contractor Damion Stewart of Complete Development Solutions confirmed that concrete works will begin within a week and container placement is scheduled for early February.

Mayor of Falmouth C Junior Gager welcomed the development.

“We are thankful… for providing a place where the infirmary residents can call their home,” Gager said.

Minister Desmond McKenzie (left) makes a point to Mayor of Falmouth Councillor C Junior Gager during a tour of the Trelawny Infirmary in Falmouth days after it was ravaged by Hurricane Melissa. Photo: Horace Hines