Canada/UNICEF partner to support healthcare in Jamaica

By CARRY BISHOP
Jamaica is benefiting from a bilateral and multilateral partnership to build resilience in healthcare delivery through the retrofitting and build out of infrastructure and systems to withstand periods of crisis that can occur from national disasters and pandemics like COVID-19.
One key piece of infrastructure with its supporting technology being added to the island’s public health system is allowing hospitals to meet their Medical Oxygen demand through their own generation and supply infrastructure.
Medical Oxygen is a vital lifesaving medicine used to treat acute respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, asthma and other chronic diseases, neonates and patients receiving treatment in Intensive Care Units. Medical oxygen is also necessary for surgery and during treatment of trauma cases.
Over the years Jamaica’s public health facilities have largely depended upon the island’s sole supplier of medical oxygen to provide the service. But in 2021 when a COVID-19 surge heightened demand of the lifesaving medicine, the government announced plans to change this overly dependence on one source to supply medical oxygen and to mitigate the risks associated with oxygen supply.
The work began shortly after through a partnership with UNICEF and the Government of Canada to build out government’s first Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen generating plant within Jamaica’s public health system.
Just over $125 million Jamaican dollars was allocated for the project through funding from UNICEF and the Government of Canada.
This first and historic development sited on the grounds of the St. Ann’s Bay General Hospital was unveiled recently and aims to complement existing supply and meet the critical need for oxygen that follows acute illness.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, said that these efforts by the government and people of Canada supported by UNICEF had to happen even while the government contemplated opening up the market to competition.
“But to the extent that we had partners in UNICEF and the Canadian government and people it was the right time and it demonstrates progress in terms of building the resilience in the public health system that is necessary.”
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 built by contractor NovaAir produces high purity oxygen by separating the oxygen from nitrogen in atmospheric air.
Through this plant, more oxygen is made readily available for piping at beds. It has the capacity to fill up to 137 20-litre cylinders in 24 hours and offers a key strategy for the hospital to meet its oxygen demand in cases of a surge.
At the handover of the first government-run oxygen plant in Jamaica, Head of Cooperation at the Canadian High Commission, Shehryar Sarwar, acknowledged that it is a significant achievement coming out of the partnership with the government of Jamaica and UNICEF.
“Canada is proud to have provided the funding to make this a reality. We are thrilled that improved supply of and access to medical oxygen will be a positive legacy of Jamaica’s pandemic response and Canada’s support,” Sarwar said.
“As the leading donor in the oxygen space, Canada will continue to support countries to increase oxygen capacity through investments in oxygen supply infrastructure and workforce. This commitment is part of our broader efforts to strengthen health systems for an inclusive sustainable COVID-19 recovery and forward-looking pandemic prevention, preparedness and response efforts.”
UNICEF’s country representative, Olga Isaza, underscored the project as a testament to the power of partnership.
“The collaboration between UNICEF, the government of Jamaica and the Canadian government exemplify how international cooperation can advance health outcomes and save lives. By working together we have pooled resources, shared knowledge and created sustainable solutions that address the present health needs of the community,” said Isaza.
UNICEF and Jamaica enjoy a rich history as the agency delivers humanitarian support in several sectors to strengthen the nation, especially in response to global crises.
“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,” Isaza added.
The oxygen plant will not only serve the immediate needs of patients at the hospital but other fundamental areas of the project as it will also function as a training hub for healthcare professionals, ensuring that the knowledge and the skills necessary for the effective use of medical oxygen are disseminated widely including training for staff to operate and maintain the facilities.
UNICEF initially supported the training of eight biomedical engineers to work with the Northeast Regional Health Authority to train the additional staff to support the operation of the plant.
UNICEF’s support also includes working with the government to develop policies, guidelines and the standards for oxygen plants operation around the country.
This plant represents a significant first step forward in ensuring a steady, reliable supply of medical oxygen across the island as work is already in train for the second plant at the May Pen Hospital in the Pariah of Clarendon which is among several other facilities across the island getting similar enhancement in their capacity to supply medical oxygen with the installation and upgrading of piping infrastructure and associated equipment, including oxygen tanks and security fencing.
The establishment of medical oxygen generating plants is one element of a multifaceted approach towards building resilience in the provision of healthcare in Jamaica that will assure quality care for all even within a crisis.
Other elements include retrofitting or build out of health facilities to withstand disasters such as hurricanes, droughts and extreme heat with resilient roofing, windows, doors, water storage capacity, alternative energy, backup power generators and air conditioners.