KINGSTON, Jamaica. Thursday, August 22, 2024: A multi-million-dollar oxygen plant was unveiled at the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital on Thursday (August 22) as the Health Ministry moves to diversify the supply of medical-grade oxygen to the public health system.
The new plant will be fully owned and operated by the Government of Jamaica through the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Plans to expand the supply of medical oxygen were disclosed in 2021 when a COVID-19
surge heightened demand of the lifesaving medicine. The St. Ann’s Bay Hospital Oxygen
Plant was announced as part of efforts to meet the critical need for oxygen that follows
acute illness and to mitigate the risks associated with a single supplier and single method
of oxygen supply.
“This oxygen plant therefore allows us to complement the medical oxygen procured from
our national supplier and is part of a larger thrust to explore alternative sources for
medical-grade oxygen,” said Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher
Tufton during his keynote address at the unveiling ceremony.
Public health facilities have largely depended upon the island’s sole supplier of medical
oxygen to provide the service.
“As an additional resource, the plant provides sufficient surplus to mitigate any issues
that may impact oxygen supply through the island’s main provider of medical oxygen.
The specifications of the plant will ensure provision of up to 530 litres of medical oxygen
per minute at peak flow,” the Minister explained.
Improved Supply
The Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen generating plant is a key strategy that
boosts infrastructure to meet oxygen demand in cases of a surge. The plant will
produce high purity oxygen by separating the oxygen from nitrogen in atmospheric
air. Through the plant, more oxygen will be made readily available for piping at beds.
Just over $125 million Jamaican dollars was allocated for the project through funding
from UNICEF and the Government of Canada.
UNICEF and Jamaica enjoy a rich history as the agency delivers humanitarian support
in several sectors to strengthen the nation, especially in response to global crises.
"UNICEF has increased its investment in oxygen systems around the world and here
in Jamaica, we are pleased to facilitate the St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital to be the
very first public health institution in Jamaica operating its own oxygen plant. We will
continue to collaborate with the Jamaican government to establish guidelines and
standards for oxygen operations," said UNICEF Country Representative, Olga Isaza.
The Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Plant package is designed for facilities with little
to no existing oxygen infrastructure and those faced with sudden surge in demand
for the lifesaving gas. The plant provides capacity to fill up to 137 20 litre cylinders in
24 hours.
Head of Cooperation at the Canadian High Commission, Shehryar Sarwar noted that
Canada’s partnership with UNICEF is part of efforts to bolster global health systems
especially toward pandemic preparedness.
“Improved supply of and access to medical oxygen will be a positive legacy of
Jamaica’s pandemic response. Canada is proud to have provided the funding to make
the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital Oxygen Plant a reality,” Sarwar said.
With the support of development partners like UNICEF, several facilities across the
island are enhancing their capacity to supply medical oxygen with the installation and
upgrading of piping infrastructure and associated equipment, including fencing and
tanks. Already, preliminary work is in progress for the building of another PSA oxygen
plant. This is to be housed at the May Pen Hospital.
The improvements position the public health system to meet the high demand in
medical oxygen that accompany cases such as acute respiratory illnesses, chronic
diseases, neonates and patients receiving treatment in Intensive Care Units.
Training & Sustainability Plan
Other fundamental areas of the project are training and technical assistance for
selected staff at the hospital. The plant will be maintained by UNICEF up to December
2024, through contractual arrangements with the plant manufacturer, Novair.
Following this, the Northeast Regional Health Authority will assume full responsibility
for maintenance. Eight technicians have so far been trained in the operstion,
motoring and upkeep of the plant.
Oxygen is a vital lifesaving medicine used to treat respiratory illnesses like COVID-19,
pneumonia and asthma. Medical oxygen is also necessary for surgery and during
treatment of trauma cases.
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