MONTEGO BAY, St James — Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon has welcomed the donation of a six-gallon, steam-based steriliser, valued at $1.1 million, to the Montego Bay Comprehensive Health Centre. The Tuttnauer autoclave, gifted by Petrojam on Friday, was presented during a formal handover ceremony which Vernon used to push back against recent criticisms that government officials are using such events as public relations (PR) stunts.

His comments come on the heels of Opposition Senator Janice Allen’s condemnation of what she described as prolonged delays and a ballooning budget at the Cornwall Regional Hospital. During the official opening of the hospital’s administrative wing on Thursday, Allen accused the Government of focusing more on image than health care delivery.

“After eight years and a cost jump from $2 billion to $23 billion, what the people of western Jamaica deserve is health care, not headlines,” Allen said.

“The opening of an administrative wing does nothing to restore the critical services patients have been waiting for, for years,” she added.

But Mayor Vernon argued that Allen’s remarks were made out of ignorance.

“Today [Friday] is another important day for us in Montego Bay, and it is interesting times because it is also a time where ignorance seems to be convenient,” he said during the handover.

“Persons pretend as if they don’t know what is happening and say that nothing is happening. And they also say that we use these opportunities to do PR stunts. That is unfortunate!” the mayor added.

He underscored the importance of sharing factual information to counter public misinformation.

“We have to pool information together to get it out there or else people will say nothing has been done. They will say, ‘Petrojam, what did you do with the money? You have to prove to us that you gave this equipment to the comprehensive health centre in Montego Bay.’ But we have proof, because we are handing it over today and the media is here to capture it. So I assure you, this is no PR stunt! Something real is happening!” he added.

The presentation of the autoclave marks a continued partnership between Petrojam and the Montego Bay Comprehensive Health Centre under the Ministry of Health and Wellness’s Adopt-a-Clinic Programme. The initiative is aimed at securing support for infrastructural and technical improvements in the local health sector.

Petrojam has signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) to help address the clinic’s infrastructural, maintenance, equipment, and furniture needs.

The company’s general manager, Telroy Morgan, promised to build on a commitment made in 2023 pledging support not only for the welfare of the community, but also to ensure the necessary infrastructure and technological advancements are maintained to deliver first class service to citizens.

“Over the years we understand the growing need of health care around the island and especially in the region where we operate — in Kingston where we have the refinery but certainly here in Montego Bay where we operate a terminal in Freeport. We remain committed and use being here today to reaffirm our commitment in this regard,” Morgan said.

He explained that the autoclave is equipped with programmable cycle options, providing flexibility to customise sterilisation processes based on specific needs.

It also includes features such as a built-in water reservoir, automatic drain, and digital display for real time cycle monitoring. The equipment offers a dependable, efficient, and safe solution for sterilising medical and laboratory instruments, helping to ensure compliance with health regulations and promoting a hygienic environment.

Parish manager for the St James Health Department, Lennox Wallace and executive director of National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation (NHEF), Courtney Cephas welcomed the donation.