Modern Old Harbour health centre 95% ready – Health Minister

The modern 2,000-square-metre facility represents a significant upgrade from the existing health centre, which has long been constrained by space limitations in one of Jamaica's fastest-growing towns. During a recent tour of the site, Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, emphasised that the new centre would dramatically expand access to quality primary healthcare for Old Harbour and surrounding areas. He noted that extended opening hours are planned to better serve the needs of the community.

“You looking at some time in August 18 to complete the building in its totality,” Dr Tufton said in a video published by the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) official Instagram account following a recent tour of the facility located on East Street, Old Harbour.

Medical Officer of Health for St. Catherine, Dr. Francia Prosper Chen, detailed the expanded range of services the centre will offer. Residents will have access to ultrasound, X-ray, ECG, audiometry (hearing tests), and physiotherapy. The centre will also feature an expanded laboratory, enhanced pharmacy services, and a modern four-chair dental department. Additionally, the facility will incorporate sustainable features, including solar power and rainwater harvesting, to ensure resilient and efficient healthcare delivery.

The project, which represents an investment of nearly JMD $1 billion, is part of the Ministry's Health Systems Strengthening Programme (HSSP) and is primarily funded by a grant from the European Union. Once operational, the new centre will replace the current Type 3 facility, which serves over 17,000 patients annually but has been hindered by capacity constraints. The new centre will be equipped to serve up to 10,000 patients per month, significantly alleviating pressure on the Spanish Town and May Pen hospitals.

"The facility is not just about size, but the kind of diagnostic equipment that will be available here," Minister Tufton stated during a tour earlier in the year. "This will ensure residents no longer have to travel to Spanish Town for critical services, providing a convenient one-stop model of care.”

The phased opening in the final quarter of 2026 will mark a new chapter in healthcare delivery for the rapidly expanding community.