Jamalco Donates 20 Paediatric Beds Valued At $3.8M to Mandeville Regional Hospital

The paediatric ward at the Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester has received 20 beds valued at $3.8 million, from bauxite and alumina company, Jamalco.

The provisions, officially handed over during a ceremony at the institution on May 14, will significantly enhance the facility’s 26-bed capacity.

In his address during the ceremony, Chairman of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Michael Stern, lauded Jamalco for its ongoing corporate philanthropy, which prioritises education, community development, and health.

He noted that the hospital has faced challenges with space and bed availability since the passage of Hurricane Melissa, resulting in overcrowding.

Following last year’s hurricane, the institution, with a capacity of 220 beds, recorded a surge in patient admissions beginning in November, when 589 patients were admitted. In December, the figure stood at 534; in January, 548; in February, 482; and in March, 492.

Against this backdrop, Mr. Stern commended the management and staff for their outstanding work in client service delivery, while welcoming Jamalco’s donation of paediatric beds to the hospital.

“This donation is vital and timely in strengthening the hospital’s capacity to deliver quality care to one of the most vulnerable groups – our children. The SRHA has enjoyed a longstanding and fruitful relationship with Jamalco, which has resulted in the health facilities benefitting from millions of dollars in improvement in the healthcare system in our region,” he stated noted.

Meanwhile, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer at Century Aluminum, the 51 per cent managing partner of Jamalco, Rob Hoffman, said the donation formed part of the company’s 2026 initiative and community development programme.

He noted that the programme reaches out to communities in which the company operates, by continuing to invest in health, education, infrastructure, and social well-being.

“When we acquired Jamalco, we were surprised by the level of engagement that they have in the community. Jamalco has a very long history of community engagement, such as securing ultrasound machines here at Mandeville Regional Hospital, donating US$80,000 in medical equipment to May Pen Hospital… and we did our part during the COVID-19 pandemic with medical supplies,” Mr. Hoffman said.

Jamalco’s most recent assistance was the refurbishment of the Accident and Emergency Department at Lionel Town Hospital in Clarendon.

Mr. Hoffman noted that the company remains committed to meeting the needs of the communities in which it operates.

“[This] donation of 20 paediatric beds should ease capacity constraints, improve patient comfort and support the doctors and nurses who work with these patients. For children, a hospital can be a scary place. So the fact that they can have a comfortable bed in which medical professionals can administer care with a little more ease, will make it a little easier on their visit here and,” Mr. Hoffman said.

In her greetings, State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information and Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, described the donation as a significant gesture.

She noted that a company like Jamalco takes its corporate social responsibility seriously, demonstrating this commitment in a meaningful way through the donation of the 20 paediatric beds.

“Too often we see the negatives, and lot of what is not often told is the hard work and sacrifice of the doctors and nurses here at Mandeville Regional Hospital. I have seen them in action and I know they do the best they can. Jamalco is always doing something in the region – always giving back in a meaningful way,” Ms. Crawford said.

The State Minister noted that the bauxite company consistently reaches out to Members of Parliament for the names of young people who can benefit from its training and certification programmes.

She also lauded the company for periodically reaching out to senior citizens with generously assembled care packages.

Meanwhile, General Manager, Clarendon Alumina Production Limited, Shanice Neisbeth Castle, recalled the benefits she and her family received from one of the island’s bauxite companies during her childhood.

She emphasised that an industry—whether bauxite, education, or healthcare—is measured not only by production figures or export numbers, but also by its impact on the lives of the people and communities it serves.

“This community in Manchester has been a big part of our bauxite and alumina industry, especially Jamalco. Without you, our industry cannot continue… so we must give back. The recent passage of Hurricane Melissa was a sobering reminder of preparedness and strong public institutions especially our hospitals,” Mrs. Neisbeth Castle said.