Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva (left) and Minister of Health Rudyard Spencer (second right) examine the plans to undertake the construction of new rooms, nurses' station and a physiotherapy ward at the Spanish Town Hospital in St Catherine, during a briefing at the Spanish Embassy, Courtleigh Corporate Centre, on Wednesday. Also looking on are Ann Hodges (right), architect, and Andrew Wheatley, mayor of Spanish Town. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Spanish Town, St Catherine:

Immediate refurbishing is to commence on the outpatient section of the Spanish Town Hospital, as well as a ward which was being used for outpatient care, at a cost of US$500,000 (J$36million), according to Jesús Silva, Spain's ambassador to Jamaica.

"We are indeed thankful to be on-board with the International Corporation Development, so as to show our intention to be a part of Spanish Town's heritage," Silva said during a briefing at the Courtleigh Corporate Centre, New Kingston, on Wednesday.

According to David Dobson, administrator at the hospital, the work to be done will enable a further 32 beds to be added to the 285 already present at the institution.

"We think it is a very good move as, since the passage of Hurricane Ivan, the roof of the outpatient [facility] was damaged and we have to capture a ward," he said. "This can now be said to be the end of that occupancy."

He went on to outline that, where the outpatient was, it will now be used for physiotherapy and that, with the rapid growth of patients in Spanish Town, the gesture of the Spaniards is a welcome one.

Also at the function was Minister of Health, Rudyard Spencer, and Mayor of Spanish Town, Dr Andrew Wheatley, who both endorsed the initiative.

Construction on the facility is expected to start within the next month and is scheduled for completion by September.