PNP Patriots pushes for western children’s hospital to be named after Portia Simpson Miller

The PNP Patriots, an affiliate of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), are urging the Government to “act in a spirit of national unity and historical recognition” by renaming the Western Children and Adolescent Hospital in Montego Bay, St James, in honour of former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

The group argues that the facility was conceptualised under Simpson Miller’s leadership and that she travelled overseas to secure funding and international partnerships for its development before demitting office following the 2016 General Election.

“It stands today as a testament to her vision for equitable healthcare access for Jamaica’s children, particularly those in western Jamaica,” the Patriots said in a statement.

Announcing the project in her 2007/2008 Budget Presentation, Simpson Miller had underscored the need for “a modern, well-equipped hospital that meets the needs of children and adolescents who depend on the public health services.”

Ibrahim Konteh, Deputy General Secretary of the Patriots and Chairman of the PNP Cultural and Heritage Commission, said renaming the facility would honour her legacy.

“When Portia Simpson Miller broke that barrier twenty years ago, she did more than make history; she expanded what was possible in the Jamaican imagination. Young girls across this country saw themselves reflected in national leadership for the first time. Renaming the Western Children’s Hospital in her honour would not merely recognise a former Prime Minister; it would honour a legacy of compassion, resilience, and unwavering service to the Jamaican people,” Konteh said.

The 220-bed hospital, which will provide medical services for children and adolescents up to age 18, is being constructed as a gift to Jamaica from China, which is funding the project in full.

The multi-billion-dollar facility in Montego Bay is scheduled to open later this year.

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