FREEPORT, St James — Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has welcomed the donation of a 10,000-square-foot ballistic-rated medical dome and up to 100 critical hospital beds to support the ailing Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) in St James.

Describing the contribution as “very timely and very well-needed,” Tufton said this will significantly ease the pressure on the hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) Technical Office in Freeport on Saturday, Tufton said the beds will provide vital capacity while the hospital continues to rebuild from recent hurricane damage and undergoes extensive rehabilitation of its main building which he expects to be completed this year.

According to Tufton, the hospital is already making “good progress” in restoring its bed capacity following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa last October.

Tufton told the media briefing that that approximately 75 beds have been restored at the hospital in the last two weeks. He said that moved the hospital up to 259 beds, which represents 75 per cent of its pre-hurricane capacity.

He underscored that the facility suffered a massive blow during the hurricane, losing approximately 157 beds — roughly half of its total count.

The health minister said the loss of beds during the Category 5 storm led to a “bulging demand” and significant wait times in the A&E Department at Cornwall Regional.

“We are in a much better position than we were two weeks ago,” declared Tufton as he told the media briefing that during a recent tour of the facility he observed that the burden on A&E has eased by approximately 50 per cent.

He said the hospital’s capacity is set for a further boost following the establishment of the dome which will be placed near the A&E Department to ensure a smoother transition for patients into ward spaces.

“Once that is established, the doctors and nurses will have a much better flow and surface area to carry out their respective roles without some of the inconveniences they currently experience,” Tufton said as he pointed out that foundation work for the dome is already under way on the hospital compound.

“Ultimately, it is the patients…who will benefit from this. So, we do expect a major easing of the challenges that both patients and staff are currently facing,” added Tufton.

The dome initiative is led by the United Mission Coalition and Christie Hutterson, CEO of Kennedy International Logistics and Services, revealed that what began as a short-term relief effort following Melissa evolved into a long-term commitment after the scale of the damage at CRH became clear.

“Our goal was to help fill the gap by staying longer, addressing sustained needs, and supporting Jamaica’s healthcare system in a meaningful way,” explained Hutterson.

She underscored that beyond the dome the group will providing the hospital with beds and mattresses, X-ray systems and autoclaves, critical medications and clinical supplies, and interior design support from the University of Miami.

Hutterson emphasised that the equipment will be a gift to the Jamaican people and will remain as permanent assets.

To ensure the relief arrives as quickly as possible, the dome will be flown into the island by Judah 1, the world’s first Christian non-profit airline.

“We are going to bring this thing here no later than the last week of February. We are going to fly it in. We’re not shipping it in because we want it here quickly,” stated Everett Aaron, CEO of Judah 1.

He added that the coalition intends to maintain a long-term presence to assist with Jamaica’s health-care needs.

In the meantime, National Health Fund (NHF) CEO Everton Anderson announced that the agency has committed $30 million to assist with site preparation and the equipping of the dome.

Anderson noted that while the NHF is assisting with hurricane recovery at several other institutions — Falmouth Public General Hospital in Trelawny, Black River Hospital in St Elizabeth, Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland, and the Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover — Cornwall Regional requires special attention due to the ongoing construction challenges and the critical loss of bed space.

A photograph of the medical dome to be erected at Cornwall Regional Hospital. Anthony Lewis