We have been here before. In fact, we may well have been standing still on this matter over the last decade. But every now and again there is a call, outrage even, at the country’s lack of capacity to medically treat burn victims in extreme cases.

The most recent discussion followed a sad occurrence of a violent act — woman against woman — during the observation of Black History Month and just weeks before the celebration of International Women’s Day.

Here, we make no judgement on the circumstances of that incident and, instead, await the determination of the legal and justice systems to do what they were established to do.

Of note, however, is that, though the victim walked away from the scene, she has since died.

But the simple reality is that when there are victims of fire in extreme circumstances the public health system has no dedicated unit that handles such cases. We hear Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton indicating that there is capacity in the system, but even he must admit that the absence of a dedicated facility is a gap in the public health management service.

Minister Tufton has gone ahead to commend the local medical teams for what they do with the resources available and explained that cases are referred abroad when they are beyond existing provisions. But this is especially disheartening when it seems as though, when in need, victims and their families are the ones who will have to foot the bill — whether in part or whole, grants notwithstanding.

We have seen the crowd funding efforts mounted that often become burial funds.

Reference has been made to partnerships with The University of the West Indies and corporate entities such as Petrojam that have laid important groundwork. But even the minister admits these efforts have reaped only a drop in the bucket.

What is the timeline assigned to this mission? Fact is, the maxim “What gets measured gets done” holds true here. This matter has played second fiddle to so many other issues facing the health and wellness sector and the fire victims have been the ones facing the consequences.

A recent Jamaica Observer news report indicated that, “In late 2023, it was estimated that it would cost approximately $260 million to construct a modern, world-class burn care facility at University Hospital of the West Indies.”

Amassing such a figure only requires the political will, as more has been assigned to motor vehicle expenses in a single budget cycle, which is an asset that depreciates daily. The contribution to life and living from the services of a dedicated burn unit would be incalculable or, more so, invaluable.

Though the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) continues to warn of the risks associated with our basic existence as we engage with appliances, cooking devices, motor vehicles, compounded by those many individuals who abstract electricity by creative means, the reality is that there is an incidence of burn disaster that is naturally occurring.

JFB Commissioner Stewart Beckford told the nation in January 2026 that, “We responded to 1,163 residential fires, which represents 75 per cent of the structural fires that we would have responded to last year.” Each of these incidents represents a life in jeopardy.

Would that the powers that be make the decision to give this important matter the attention in deserves before the next victim of an extreme fire incident, be it at home or on our roads.

At risk of using a bad pun, the assault of these devastating fire incidents are not surface level. The lives lost, futures derailed, and families upended demand the attention and shoring up of the nation’s capacity with a singular, dedicated burn unit.