Stakeholders: Savanna-la-Mar hospital expansion long overdue
Published:Saturday | July 26, 2025 | 12:09 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Dr Marcia Graham, the medical officer of health at the Westmoreland Health Department, was among the health officials who have welcomed the proposed $1-billion expansion of the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, which they agree is long overdue.
In noting that the hospital had long outgrown its current infrastructure, which is sparking overcrowding and an environment that is challenging the delivery of quality care, Graham said the expansion was badly needed.
“We know that health centres are the first point of contact for most citizens, but sometimes the conditions are beyond primary care,” said Graham. “We’ve outgrown the space at the hospital, and this project will give us the environment we need to treat people compassionately and efficiently.”
Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton outline elements of the expansion plans for the hospital on Friday during a ceremony at which he dismissed suggestions that the announcement was politically timed to give the Government an advantage going into the impending general election.
“Yes, elections are near, and yes, I want you to vote for me, but this is not about politics, this is about progress,” said Tufton. “The architectural drawings and planning started over a year ago. This didn’t start yesterday.”
According to Tufton, the expansion is part of the Government’s broader commitment to upgrading Jamaica’s public health infrastructure, particularly in high-demand parishes like Westmoreland.
“Too little was done for too long. So when we finally break ground and cut ribbons, it’s because we are playing catch-up with the needs of the Jamaican people,” said Tufton, in acknowledging the strain on the Savanna-la-Mar hospital as a result of an increase in traffic accidents, which is taking a toll on the hospital’s capacity.
“With motorbikes being so affordable, more people own them, and sadly, more people crash them. Our job is to make sure the hospital is ready to treat them,” Tufton added.
Jamie James, chairman of the Hospital’s Management Committee, in welcoming the expansion plans, said the hospital is under daily pressure, driven by a combination of increasing trauma cases from motorbike and car accidents, and a worrying rise in lifestyle diseases among younger patients.
“We’re seeing more young people now with high blood pressure, heart conditions, and diabetes, illnesses that were mostly associated with older folks,” James told The Gleaner. “On top of that, bike crashes and car accidents happen every day. The hospital is overwhelmed, and this expansion will mean the world to our staff and community.
“It’s going to help the business community too. When workers fall ill or get injured, they’ll get treated faster and better. It’s a win for everyone.”
Graham stated that while the healthcare team has been doing its best, the existing infrastructure limits their ability to offer the standard of care that patients deserve.
“This expansion is important not just for the clients we serve, but also for our hardworking staff who will now have a more comfortable and fitting environment to work in,” she said.
Three phases in two years
The hospital expansion is expected to unfold in three major phases over the next two years, with construction starting in late 2025 and completion targeted for mid-2027.
Phase One will see the construction of a new Accident and Emergency Unit, with a focus on trauma care. This initial phase is expected to break ground in late 2025 and is projected to cost approximately $400 million.
Phase Two, scheduled to begin in early 2026, will include the development of a modern outpatient department and diagnostics centre, aimed at reducing wait times and improving access to critical tests and consultations. This phase is estimated at $300 million.
Phase Three, set for mid-2026 to early 2027, will involve expanding the inpatient ward and administrative offices, ensuring smoother internal operations and better patient flow. This final phase will cost another $300 million.
“By the time we’re finished in 2027, the people of Westmoreland will have a public hospital that they can be proud of, one that matches the standard of care they deserve,” said Tufton .
The Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital celebrated its 61st anniversary this week, and Graham believes the planned expansion will ease the strain on regional health centres and support the work of frontline staff.
“We’re all doing our part,” said Graham. “But now, with this expansion, we’ll be able to do it better, and with dignity.”