Tufton Rejects Claim of $21b Spend on Cornwall Renovation

Health minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, says there’s no truth to claims that the government spent $21 billion on the renovation project at Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James.

During his contribution to the Sectoral Debate on Tuesday, Dr. Tufton told the House that the sum includes expenditure on multiple other health facilities in Western Jamaica.

The health minister says the allegations of cost overruns on the renovation project are false.

Dr. Christopher Tufton, health and wellness minister. He was speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Dr. Tufton says the recently announced subsidy for Jamaican females doing pap smears is an attempt to improve the level of cervical cancer testing among women.

Dr. Christopher Tufton, Health and Wellness Minister, speaking on Nationwide at Five.

During his sectoral presentation on Tuesday, Dr. Tufton announced that all Jamaican females 21-years-and older will receive a subsidy to assist with covering the cost of a pap smear.

The latest benefit under the health ministry will take effect on June 10. The subsidy to be offered is $1,300 per test in keeping with screening guidelines.