Restored health centre brings comfort to Jackson Town
Published:Saturday | July 26, 2025 | 12:09 AMLeon Jackson/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
Residents of Jackson Town and surrounding communities in Trelawny are now more comfortable from a health perspective as the community’s health centre, which was out of service for two years, is now back in service after a J$23-million refurbishing exercise.
The health centre, which will serve communities such as Sawyers, Mahogany Hall, First Hill, Stewart Town and Jackson Town, was recommissioned into service on Thursday by Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton.
Gary Hall, a retired Jackson Town-based civil servant, said living without the health centre was a major challenge, and seeing it being reopened gives him greater appreciation for it.
“They say cow never know the use of his tail until it was cut off,” said Hall, in referencing the period when the health centre was non-functional. “When the clinic was closed, we missed it very much, so now that it has reopened, we gladly welcome it.”
In declaring the health centre reopened, Tufton thanked the residents for their patience, while explaining that they are the beneficiaries of the first health clinic to be refurbished in Trelawny under the Government’s operation Outreach Programme.
“I want to express my gratitude to you the residents for your patience in waiting on this project, which is a $23-million refurbishing exercise funded by the National Health Fund,” said Tufton. “You the people of Jackson Town must be proud of a government who promised and now have delivered.”
After examining the work that was done, Hall gave the project a thumbs up, saying he was quite pleased with what he saw.
“The refurbishing is wonderful; it was well done. A water-harvesting station has been established, which is most welcome, and generally, a wonderful job has been done,” said Hall.
First call for primary healthcare
According to Tufton, some 130 health centres across the island are slated to benefit from $4-billion investment by the Government as part of the effort to bring comfortable high-quality healthcare closer to residents.
“You now have an air-conditioned waiting area, and a doctor to visit every Monday,” Tufton told the residents of Jackson Town. “Make use of the clinic as your first call for primary healthcare.”
Loretta Barnett, of Mahogany Hall, told The Gleaner that life was quite difficult for her without the clinic, which she says is critical to addressing her medical situation.
“I am lost for words; I am super excited from my experience on Monday when I used the facility. The staff was so friendly and caring. I watched a movie on big screen TV while I waited on my turn to see the doctor,” she said.
Kershaw Bell Cummings, the parish manager for the Trelawny Health Department, said the refurbishing was a complete job, which entailed addressing issue unconnected to the main building.
“The refurbishing covered the area to the back of the building, which caused the public health to close the clinic in the first place,” she said. “Now, we have that area converted into an office space, and we have a new parking area.”