MONTEGO BAY, St James – Opposition spokesperson for health Dr Morais Guy has cautioned that despite investments made in the Cornwall Regional and Western Children and Adolescents hospitals, that section of the country will soon not have enough resources to meet its needs. He pointed to continued growth in western Jamaica, particularly Montego Bay, as a factor that needs to be included in any assessment of health facilities.

“The truth is that it might be needed more as times goes by in terms of the hotel development, in terms of the infrastructural development, in terms of the movement of people into Montego Bay and the surrounding areas,” said Dr Guy.

He was speaking with journalists following a tour of both health facilities, which he said would provide 622 rooms in total, 400 of which would be at Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH).

He also pointed to the impact the tourism sector may have.

“Yes we have to build for our locals first, but one of the things you have to do to attract more tourists to the areas is to say: ‘Okay, we have this first class facility here that can treat any potential illness you may have if you come to Jamaica,’ ” Dr Guy noted.

“If you have that as a plus for your tourism product then certainly Jamaica would be a better destination, Montego Bay would be a better destination,” he stated.

The Opposition spokesman also used the opportunity to once again express concern about cost overruns at the under-renovation CRH, which has been plagued by delays.

“Now we are told it has gone to $14.5 billion and possibly counting, and the explanation for that we are told now is that $14.5 billion will include all the equipment that the hospital will need, all brand new equipment that the hospital will need,” he lamented.

Dr Guy cautioned that there must be standardisation of new equipment to prevent future challenges with maintenance and repair. He also suggested that equipment used at CRH should be compatible with those at the children’s hospital so that “we will have almost a seamless operation”.