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Multi-million-dollar investment unveiled at St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital
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.