Health ministry applauds Jamalco, Cousins Construction for $6.5m Lionel Town Hospital upgrade
Published:Monday | December 8, 2025 | 12:06 AMOlivia Brown/Gleaner Writer
The Ministry of Health and Wellness has commended refinery giant Jamalco and Clarendon-based construction and civil engineering company, Construction Services Limited, for their partnership in delivering a $6.5-million upgrade to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Waiting Room at Lionel Town Hospital in southeast Clarendon.
The newly renovated space, which was officially handed over last Thursday, represents a significant transformation of what was once an open and exposed waiting area.
The upgrade now boasts a fully enclosed modern environment featuring new windows and doors, a restroom, air-conditioning, upgraded lighting, freshly painted walls, and a smart television, creating a more comfortable, weather-protected and patient-friendly space for families awaiting care.
POWERFUL EXAMPLE
Krystal Lee, keynote speaker and state minister in the health ministry, described the partnership between Jamalco and Cousins Construction as a powerful example of what meaningful collaboration can achieve within the public health sector. She said the investment reflected “a chief example of the tremendous success that is unfolding across the public health sector as vital partnerships continue in support of strengthening our nation’s health system.”
She further praised the $6.5-million project as a meaningful contribution to public health, noting that it embodied what she termed an “all-of-society approach” to improving healthcare delivery.
Lee emphasised that collaboration is central to advancing healthcare in Jamaica, commending Jamalco not only for its community outreach, but also for balancing the environmental and social impacts of its bauxite operations.
“When you have our bauxite partners actually playing their part in the communities, it goes a very far way,” she noted.
Lee also said, that over the past five years, the government had invested more than $3.88 billion in primary healthcare upgrades across 138 facilities under the Health 2030 Vision, aimed at improving access, integration, and patient-centred care. According to her, rural communities and community hospitals remain a priority, describing district health centres as “critical gateways to healthcare”.
Referencing recent weather-related events, including the impact of hurricanes, Lee said those challenges underscore the importance of resilience and preparedness within the health sector. She explained that the ministry remains focused on building a modern, responsive public health system with improved infrastructure, higher service standards and better patient experiences.
BENEFITS OF UPGRADE
Highlighting the direct benefits of the Lionel Town upgrade, she said the new A&E waiting area represents a major step forward in patient comfort and satisfaction and aligns seamlessly with the ministry’s secondary-care plan, Compassionate Care Programme and national primary healthcare reform agenda, which targets upgrades to 126 facilities islandwide.
For managing director of Cousins Construction Services Limited, Lorine Cousins, the project went beyond philanthropy; it was deeply personal.
“This country will not be complete unless we make it complete for all of us,” Cousins said.
She reflected on the impact the facility has on residents from her own community and surrounding areas, noting that when she first visited the hospital before renovations began, the majority of patients she observed came from the community of Hayes and its environs. Cousins expressed hope that the upgraded space would become a cornerstone of compassionate and expert care for generations to come.
She explained that the decision to partner on the project was an easy one, noting heavy reliance on the facility by residents of the southern belt.
Cousins said the project will alleviate woes, particularly during the rainy season, when the previous open waiting area left patients exposed to harsh weather conditions.
“I am indeed relieved that another member of our community will not be sitting in an open area after an asthma attack, exposed to rain, lightning and thunder. Thank you, Jamalco, for being a good neighbour,” she said, adding that the partnership reflected the kind of corporate citizenship every community hopes for.
Marvin Jackson, managing director of Jamalco, described the project as a continuation of the company’s long-standing support for Lionel Town Hospital and public health facilities across the parish.
He said the renovation marked another milestone in the company’s commitment to building strong communities through accessible, quality healthcare, while also celebrating the power of partnership and shared vision.
“At Jamalco, we believe that strong communities are built on robust public services, with accessible, quality healthcare at the core of that responsibility,” Jackson stated.
He noted that the A&E waiting room is often where families experience some of life’s most intense and emotional moments, and the upgraded space is now designed to serve as a sanctuary, one that respects dignity, prioritises comfort and eases distress even before treatment begins.
EXTENSIVE SUPPORT
Jackson detailed Jamalco’s extensive support to the hospital over the past decade, including the donation of blood pressure machines, electronic vital sign monitors, a lawn mower, medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the expansion and upgrading of the hospital’s records room.
He disclosed that the combined investment by Jamalco and Cousins Construction exceeded $6.5 million, reaffirming both organisations’ commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
“Many of our employees come from Clarendon, and this is the hospital where they, their families and friends seek care in times of need,” he said, adding that the initiative also directly benefits Jamalco’s workforce.
Acting chief executive officer of the Lionel Town Hospital, Kimberley Trought, described the project as a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when organisations, leaders and community partners unite around a shared purpose.
She said the newly renovated waiting area represents far more than a physical improvement.
“It is a symbol of hope, dignity, and the power of collaboration. It strengthens our ability to meet the unique healthcare needs of our local communities with excellence, compassion, and competence,” Trought said.
Trought added that the project supports the hospital’s mission to provide fair, equitable and safe, patient- and family-centred care for residents of southern Clarendon and surrounding communities.
Herschel Ismail, the Southern Regional Health Authority’s (SRHA) director of facilities, operations and maintenance, highlighted the transformation of the Type-C hospital, which she said moved from three doctors six years ago to 26 today, including an emergency care specialist. She praised the leadership of senior medical officer Dr Andre McKenzie and team, noting improvements in lab services, physiotherapy, customer care, security, and digital infrastructure, and the hospital’s distinction as the first baby-friendly facility in the region.
Acknowledging ongoing upgrades, including X-ray services and the recent $6.5-million renovation of the waiting area, Ismail said, “We really are thanking Jamalco and Cousins Construction for this partnership, and we want it to continue impacting us positively.”