Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
SPANISH TOWN:
ORGANISERS OF Cayjam Development, which is expected to build a state-of-the-art private hospital for the residents of Portmore, won wide approval during a meeting held at the Portmore Municipal Council office on January 14.
The developers met with several members of the wider Portmore community to discuss how feasible the hospital would be to operate in the municipality.
After presenting the proposed structure, the developers told residents that although it is a privately-owned initiative, Portmore residents will benefit tremendously from the services, which will be comprehensive and measure up to world standards. They discussed the purpose of the hospital, the service it will offer and then by way of participation, the residents' expectations and concerns were addressed. The residents claimed that several skilled persons are living in Portmore, and they expect that the operators will secure jobs for these persons.
PORTMORE LANDSCAPE
Several residents who spoke with The Gleaner said the hospital initiative is welcome in Portmore.
"We in Portmore realised that the population is growing. We are over 300,000 people and are still growing, so the development of an hospital is really critical to the welfare of people in the community," remarked Heather Wallen-Bryan, a resident.
One member of the develop-ment team told The Gleaner that, after a four-month feasibility study, which will be finished in April, the next step would be the building of the hospital.
"We are just getting a feel of what the people need in Portmore and will be giving them a magnificent structure to serve their needs," the developer said.
Mayor of Portmore, George Lee, endorsed the project and told the gathering that it is a meaningful gesture that Portmore can do well with. He said, with the development of the toll road and the building of several new communities, the hospital is coming at an opportune time.
The $40 million project is expected to be completed by 2008. According to Cayjam Development, it will operate the hospital for some years, which is yet to be decided, then the facility will be turned over to the municipality for the people of Portmore to operate.
