Multimillion-Dollar Oxygen Plant Installed at St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital

The St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital in St. Ann now has a multimillion-dollar oxygen plant.

The facility, which was financed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Government of Canada at a cost of more than $125 million, uses pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology, which will enable the production of high-purity oxygen by separating it from nitrogen in the air.

The plant has the capacity to deliver up to 530 litres of medical oxygen per minute at peak flow, and can fill up to 137 20-litre cylinders in 24 hours.

It represents a strategic move by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to diversify the supply of medical-grade oxygen and reduce dependence on a single provider.

UNICEF will initially oversee the plant’s maintenance through a contractual agreement with the manufacturer, Novair.

As part of the Government’s broader initiative to strengthen healthcare resilience, the plant will be fully owned and operated by the Ministry, with the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) assuming maintenance responsibilities after December.

Speaking during the recent unveiling ceremony, Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, emphasised the plant’s importance.

“We came very close to running out [of medical-grade oxygen during the COVID-19 pandemic] because we had one supplier, and I vowed with my team that we would not have this kind of risk happening again,” he said.

Dr. Tufton pointed out that the plant “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”.

He added that the facility’s ability to enhance the oxygen supply infrastructure is part of a larger strategy to safeguard public health facilities against potential supply disruptions.

Some eight technicians have, so far, been trained in the plant’s operation, motoring and upkeep.

“So, these efforts by the Government of Canada, supported by UNICEF, had to happen. It demonstrates progress in terms of building resilience in public health. I’m pleased that we are at this stage, because it is an essential step towards resilience,” Dr. Tufton stated.

Work is already under way to instal a similar plant at the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon, to further expand Jamaica’s capacity to supply life-saving oxygen.

For her part, UNICEF’s Country Representative, Olga Isaza, expressed pride in facilitating Jamaica’s first public health institution to operate its own oxygen plant.

This, she added, represented a significant achievement in improving healthcare delivery.

“This oxygen plant will not only serve to supply patients but act as a training hub for healthcare professionals, ensuring the skills and knowledge necessary for the effective use of medical oxygen. The collaboration exemplifies how international cooperation can solve health concerns and save lives,” Ms. Isaza further stated.

Head of Cooperation at the Canadian High Commission, Shehryar Sarwar, noted that the partnership between Canada and UNICEF reflects a commitment to enhancing global health systems and ensuring 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,” he said.