Liquid oxygen boost Annotto Bay Hospital receives well-needed equipment
ANNOTTO BAY, St Mary — Annotto Bay Hospital is now in a better position to care for patients with respiratory illnesses after receiving a donation of equipment used for liquid oxygen.
Through a partnership between the Ministry of Health and Wellness, USAID, along with Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC), which put in the infrastructure, the State-run medical facility has been outfitted with infrastructure for a 4,000-gallon supply of liquid medical oxygen (LMO).
It cost US$200,000 ($30 million).
The August 9 donation made the hospital the second one in the island to receive this type of infrastructure. Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) was the first in 2022.
Board chairman for the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) Laura Herron thanked stakeholders for the donation which, she said, was vital to the hospital’s ability to operate.
“This signifies our preparedness to swiftly and effectively support patients who are in need of respiratory attention, as the need was proven during COVID-19,” Herron said.
The same sentiment was expressed by NERHA Technical Director Dr Patrick Wheatle.
“I must say this is a huge help towards the need for oxygen. It was frustrating during COVID-19 as calls would be made to the suppliers and there’s no answer, and [it was the] same back and forth with the hospitals to see where their oxygen level is; so this is welcome,” he said.
Dr Wheatle anticipates the donation will make things a lot easier for all stakeholders involved.
Associate director of EpiC Sue-Anne Wallace-Brown noted that the donated equipment was accompanied by training and technical assistance for selected staff members.
She stressed the significance of Jamaica — one of 26 countries considered for the donation — benefiting from the initiative.
“Fourteen of these countries where chosen, which include Jamaica, to improve their efficiency in how oxygen is supplied, stored, and delivered to patients,” said Wallace-Brown.
The liquid medical oxygen has been placed on wards that house patients in need of respiratory care.
