Mayor of Portmore George Lee says plans are still in place to construct a hospital in the municipality.

He said the plan for the medical facility is still being developed.

However, Lee said he expects ground to be broken for construction of the hospital by the end of this year or early in 2013.

He said the buildings should be completed within two years of the start date.

For years, residents of Portmore have been lobbying for a hospital in the growing St. Catherine city.

Meanwhile, Lee said other plans for Portmore include the construction of a fire station and a courthouse.

He expects those projects to begin next year.

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