JAMAICA |What about the NHT's Contribution to the Bustamante Children's Hospital Project

Kingston, Jamaica. June 27, 2024: The Opposition Spokesperson on Housing and Sustainable Living, Senator Floyd Morris has called on the Prime Minister Andrew Holness, to update the country on the National Housing Trusts’s (NHT) contribution to the construction of an overnight facility for parents at the Bustamante Children’s Hospital.

Senator Morris said the facility was a well-needed one in the city, and the NHT and National Health Fund (NHF) have been engaged to facilitate the construction.

He said while the NHF has honoured its obligation under the project thus far, the NHT has not completed its portion of the arrangement.”

The Opposition Spokesperson noted that the construction of the facility has been met with undue delays and controversy over the use of the building.

He reminded that in 2023, there was an uproar over the use of the facility when medical professionals were calling for additional ICU spaces and their claims were dismissed by the Minister of Health and Wellness.

”All these issues have negatively impacted the construction of the facility and ultimately, the children of our country end up suffering from the incomplete construction” Morris quipped.

Senator Morris is insisting that the Prime Minister who has ministerial oversight for housing must tell the country why the NHT had to terminate the services of the contractor and how soon will another contractor be engaged to complete the project. 

“What we are seeing here are some bad management and governance practices. Public funds are being used to construct a facility. Yet, the public cannot get relevant information as to what is taking place with the construction of such a vital facility that is to temporarily house parents of children from out of town who are admitted to the hospital”, lamented Morris.

The Opposition is therefore urging the Prime Minister to place this project on an expedited priority track since it involves the children of our country, most of whom are from very underprivileged families.

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