GROUND BROKEN FOR NHF FUNDED PROJECTS IN BUFF BAY AND ANNOTTO BAY VALUED AT $380 MILLION

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (fourth left), breaks ground for a $180 million laboratory and physiotherapy building at the Annotto Bay Hospital in St Mary on Friday, June 12, 2020. Also pictured (from left) are: Director of Nursing Services at the Annotto Bay Hospital, Claudia Hardy- McLennon; Senior Medical Officer of the Annotto Bay Hospital, Dr Glenton Strachan; Managing Director of Otiga Engineers, Douglas Bowes; Member of Parliament for South East St. Mary, Dr. Norman Dunn; Regional Director for the North East Regional Health Authority, Fabia Lamm; Director of Health Promotions, Public Relations and Customer Care for the National Health Fund, Miss Shermaine Robotham. The project is being funded by the NHF.

THE NATIONAL HEALTH FUND

GROUND BROKEN FOR NHF FUNDED PROJECTS IN BUFF BAY AND ANNOTTO BAY VALUED AT $380 MILLION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KINGSTON, Jamaica … June 13, 2020 – The National Health Fund (NHF) is providing grants amounting to $380 million Jamaican Dollars to construct and equip two major health projects in the north-eastern parishes - a district health centre in Buff Bay, Portland and a laboratory and physiotherapy building at the Annotto Bay Hospital in St. Mary.
The Buff Bay District Health Centre, which is being constructed and equipped at a cost of $200 million, will comprise two single-storey buildings, with the main building accommodating doctors’ and nurses’ offices, waiting areas and treatment rooms for patients, laboratory and conference room services and a new Drug Serv Pharmacy.
Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. the Hon Christopher Tufton gave the keynote addresses at both groundbreaking ceremonies, while West Portland Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz brought remarks in Buff Bay and South-East St. Mary MP, Dr. Norman Dunn spoke at the Annotto Bay Hospital.
"What is important is that we are here to break ground today for the lab service, including blood bank and physiotherapy building at a cost of some $180 million including equipment, 14 months to complete, is going to transform the services that we offer here.” said Minister Tufton speaking at the ceremony at Annotto Bay.
Director of Health Promotions, Public Relations and Customer Care for the NHF, Ms Shermaine Robotham who was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremonies for both projects on Friday, June 12, on behalf of NHF’s Chief Executive Officer, Everton Anderson, said, “The NHF is pleased to provide funding and oversight for the building and equipping of both projects and we look forward to the completion and official opening ceremonies next year.”
In commending members of the public health system for their work in the response to COVID-19, she noted that NHF has been playing a vital role by making medication available through its NHF and JADEP cards, mobile pharmacy units and Drug Serv Pharmacies.
The NHF continues to work with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Regional Health Authorities to improve the overall infrastructure of the health sector.

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Contact: Sharon Jones, Health Promotion and Public Relations Manager,
                Health Promotion & Public Relations Department
                Telephone numbers: 876-906-1106 or 876-820-5994
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