Jamaica last Thursday opened its first-ever State-owned medical oxygen plant in keeping with a promise made by Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton to ensure that the country does not suffer a repeat of the anxieties experienced from a shortage of the life-saving product during the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago.

“This is a historic moment, because it represents a part of the transformation that we have embarked on and are following through with,” Tufton told guests at the commissioning of the plant at St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital.

Just over $125 million was allocated for the project through funding from UNICEF and the Government of Canada.

“We came very close to running out, because we had one supplier, and I vowed with my team that we would not have this kind of risk happening again. 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,” he said, adding that it was a frightening time for the public health sector dealing with a shortage of medical oxygen during the pandemic.

The Canadian High Commission’s Head of Cooperation Shehryar Sawar, who was in attendance at the event, said his Government was proud to have contributed to the project.

“We are thrilled that improved supply and access to medical oxygen will be a positive legacy of Jamaica’s endemic response. This plant is a significant step forward to ensuring a steady, reliable, and affordable supply of medical oxygen across the island,” he said.

Sawar noted that the project was done as a part of Canada’s commitment to mobilise funding to help countries respond to the many health, social, and economic impacts of the pandemic.

“The pandemic taught us many lessons, including the importance of medical oxygen, which has proved to be one of the most effective instruments in our hospitals,” he said.

UNICEF’s representative Olga Isza, during her presentation, lauded the importance of partnership that led to the creation of the plant.

“This ceremony is a testament to the power of partnership. The collaboration exemplifies how international cooperation can solve health concerns and save lives,” she said.

“This oxygen plant will not only serve to supply patients but act as a training hub for health-care professionals, ensuring the skills and knowledge necessary for the effective use of medical oxygen,” Isza said.

The new plant will be fully owned and operated by the Government of Jamaica through the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Tufton explained that the plant will ensure provision of up to 530 litres of medical oxygen per minute at peak flow. It also provides capacity to fill up to 137 20-litre cylinders in 24 hours.

“The PSA oxygen project is simply life-saving and life-changing. The impact will be far-reaching. Already, preliminary work is in progress for the building of another PSA oxygen plant. This is to be housed at the May Pen Hospital. Good things are happening in public health,” Tufton said.

“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,” he added.

After the event, Tufton told the Jamaica Observer that the plant can produce medical oxygen for St Ann and that entire region.

“We made a commitment to do this and we’re delivering,” he said.

Acting regional director, North East Regional Health Authority, Kadian Birch said the plant is a major step towards the hospital’s ability to better serve patients.

“This facility advances our thrust towards having a resilient health-care system and is also a significant leap forward in elevating the quality of care we provide to our patients,” she said.

Chief executive officer at St Ann’s Bay Hospital Delroy Morgan said he, too, was elated by the new addition to the facility.

“We are excited. We celebrate not just the commissioning of a new facility but a major step forward in ensuring health and well-being of our community,” said Morgan.

Eight biomedical engineers have already been educated and trained on the use of the plant and other staff members will be trained soon.