Health Ministry expands supply of medical oxygen with new plant in St Ann

A new multimillion-dollar oxygen plant was today unveiled at the St Ann's Bay Regional Hospital in St Ann as the Ministry of Health and Wellness moves to diversify the supply of medical-grade oxygen to the public health system.

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

The new plant will be fully owned and operated by the Government through the health ministry.

The plant will be maintained by UNICEF up to December, through contractual arrangements with the plant manufacturer, Novair.

Following this, the Northeast Regional Health Authority will assume full responsibility for maintenance.

The health ministry notes that eight technicians have so far been trained in the operation, motoring and upkeep of the plant.

It points out that 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 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,” Tufton explained.

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.

"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 that is to be housed at the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon.

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