The National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) will oversee the construction of a new Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness announced on Thursday during his contribution to the Budget Debate.

“Resilience is not only our road and bridges. Resilience must also include our health facilities. Kingston Public Hospital, as historic and venerated as it has stood for over 300 years, is vulnerable, and had Hurricane Melissa struck Kingston, the consequences could have been catastrophic, potentially damaging…to a major national referral hospital at the very moment when the residents of the surrounding area would have needed it most,” said Holness.

“That would have added a dangerous new layer of public health crisis to an already severe natural disaster. We have to take note of our vulnerabilities and address them before they manifest,” he added.

The prime minister said it is imperative that a new KPH is built to modern international standards, with resilience, continuity of care and disaster readiness embedded to its core.

“I am pleased to note that the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority will lead its construction, and Cabinet has already given approval for the acquisition of lands for this new facility,” Holness shared.