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KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica's Cabinet has approved plans for four climate-resilient hospitals with a combined proposed capacity of 1,370 beds, including a new Kingston Public Hospital campus, as the government prepares to replace and modernize health infrastructure. Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton announced the plans at an October 7 post-Cabinet briefing, according to an October 8 Jamaica Information Service report. Some hospital locations remain unresolved.
The proposals call for a 250-bed Black River Hospital, a 250-bed Falmouth General Hospital and a 150-bed Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover. Kingston Public Hospital would have 720 beds on a new campus intended to serve as a Type A referral facility and national trauma center. The Health Ministry acquired land for the Kingston campus earlier this year.
Officials are continuing to work with the National Land Agency and other stakeholders on outstanding location decisions. A proposed partnership between the ministry and the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority would cover design, construction, equipment and maintenance. Tufton said the facilities would follow the Pan American Health Organization's Smart Health Facility standards.
Tufton said a new hospital can generally take about three years to design, build, equip and commission. He described restoration of existing facilities as necessary to maintain patient care while preparations for the new hospitals continue.
The new-hospital proposals come alongside work to restore existing facilities following Hurricane Melissa's impact in October 2025. In a separate October 8 report on the same briefing, JIS said Black River Hospital's rebuilt surgical wards and operating theatres were expected to reopen by the end of this month. The ongoing reconstruction has increased that hospital's capacity from 150 to 180 beds.
At Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, an extension of the former COVID-19 ward has been completed and is accommodating 28 medical patients. Repairs to the female surgical ward, including roofing, painting and toilet facilities, are expected to finish this month. Tufton said the improvements would help ease crowding in the accident and emergency department.
