Contract negotiation for National Arena COVID field hospital near completion

The government is now concluding negotiations with a contractor to outfit the National Arena in Kingston as a COVID-19 field hospital. 

At a digital press conference on Wednesday, Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry Dunstan Bryan would not reveal the name contractor being engaged, saying he did not want to compromise the negotiations now under way.

However, he said the contractor was selected through the emergency contracting process.

Bryan also said he expects the negotiation to be completed in seven days in time for a public signing next Wednesday.

The scope of work will include electrical connection for medical equipment and general support services, increase in water storage capacity from 8,000 gallons to 14,000 gallons, temporary backup power supply, temporary outdoor bathroom and shower facilities for patients, chain-link fence at the rear of the facility for security, and the acquisition of medical equipment and furniture.

The Jamaica Defence Force will be the technical supervisors of the contract.

The 72-bed facility will cost $182 million inclusive of amounts for protective gear for medical personnel.

The Health Ministry had been given a budget of $2.8 billion for the COVID response.

According to Bryan, already it has spent almost $2.5 billion.

Bryan said with just about $300 million left, the ministry will shortly be making a submission to the Finance Ministry for more money for the COVID response.

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