Holness says healthcare and road investments are sustainable
Published:Wednesday | June 25, 2025 | 12:09 AMCarl Gilchrist/Gleaner Writer
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says the investment that the Government is making in the country’s healthcare system and road infrastructure is sustainable and will continue.
Over the past decade or so, the Government has spent billions of dollars trying to improve healthcare and repair the country’s road network, and, speaking on Sunday at a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Area Council Three meeting in Brown’s Town, St Ann, Holness said the improved economy has allowed more money to be invested in these areas.
The prime minister and JLP leader said two main concerns that Jamaicans in the diaspora have, that prevent them from returning to live on the island, have been crime and healthcare service.
“Jamaica is making headway in safety and security,” Holness pointed out, noting that Jamaica’s murder rate has seen a huge fall since the start of this year, compared to last year.
Up to this month, Jamaica has recorded a 42 per cent reduction in murders, compared to the same period in 2024. The first quarter of the year saw the lowest number of murders in over two decades, with 187 murders on record.
With success in the area of security, the attention has been broadened.
“Now the attention has turned to healthcare. I want to say that we understand the issue and we are investing heavily in improving healthcare, but it is important that you understand the process to improving healthcare,” Holness said.
“We haven’t had a new hospital built in over 30 years; in fact, we haven’t had any major investment in health infrastructure in over 30 years.”
PLANS TO BUILD CLINICS
Holness listed clinics at Bamboo, St Ann’s Bay and Runaway Bay as being upgraded, and earmarked Brown’s Town and Ocho Rios for the construction of new clinics, to be built at a cost of $950 million.
Regarding roads, Holness said: “We hear the complaints about roads. We take up $45 billion and we say, SPARK Programme. The SPARK Programme will be over two budgets, but that money is what is now going to start the process of repairing, not patching now, but rehabilitating to a better standard the roads that are of concern.
“But what we should pay attention to is whether or not the Government can sustain a programme of rehabilitation and maintenance; and yes, by virtue of how we manage the economy, the Government will continue to invest in the management and rehabilitation of our roads.”
Regarding water, Holness said he would be announcing an amnesty for micro, small and medium-size enterprises so they too can benefit, similar to how residents benefited from the National Water Commission amnesty earlier this year.
The amnesty, which began on January 2, saw write-offs of 50 per cent on outstanding water bills for some inactive accounts; with pensioners and Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education beneficiaries being able to qualify for a 100 per cent write-off.
Meanwhile, Krystal Lee, member of parliament for St Ann North West, said she has transformed the constituency, with several projects completed and more under way.
Lee said a new well has been dug at Minard to provide water to several communities in the Brown’s Town area, and $175 million has been spent to provide water to Thicketts and surrounding communities.
She said ground will be broken in the coming weeks for a new health centre in Brown’s Town, and $20 million has been allocated to fix the Priory to Bamboo road.
The Area Council Three meeting, at the Brown’s Town Community College, drew JLP workers, activists and stakeholders from Manchester, Clarendon, and St Ann.