FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Local authorities have begun a phased recovery effort to stabilise care for displaced infirmary residents following extensive hurricane damage to key facilities in the parish.
The Trelawny Municipal Corporation has commenced repairs at the Elleston Wakeland Centre in Falmouth, positioning it as an interim location for residents currently housed at Hague Primary School. The move is intended to ease pressure on the school as preparations intensify for the resumption of classes.
Mayor of Falmouth, C Junior Gager, confirmed that roofing work at the centre is now under way and progressing on schedule. Once structural repairs are completed, the facility will undergo full sanitation before residents are transferred.
“Our priority is to ensure that when residents are relocated, they enter a space that is safe, functional, and clean,” the mayor stated, noting that landscaping and external works will continue even after occupancy begins.
Gager acknowledged the strain placed on Hague Primary School, describing ongoing coordination with school administrators to minimise disruption to students while safeguarding the welfare of displaced residents.
At the national level, the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has activated longer-term measures. During a recent visit to the parish, Minister Desmond McKenzie announced plans for a temporary infirmary facility to be constructed on municipally owned land near Falmouth. The site has also been earmarked for a future permanent infirmary.
According to Mayor Gager, preparatory work on the land has already begun, with contractors clearing the area and mobilising materials for the installation of prefabricated housing units.
Based on initial assessments, the temporary complex could be operational within six weeks, with officials aiming to accelerate delivery where possible.
Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica’s south-western coast on October 28, caused widespread destruction across multiple parishes, displacing residents and inflicting billions of dollars in damage. In Trelawny, the focus has now shifted from emergency response to restoring continuity of care for the parish’s most vulnerable citizens.
