BIOMEDICAL Caledonia Medical Laboratory has expanded its national network to 52 collection centres with the opening of a new facility in Drax Hall, St Ann.

The centre, located at Annex A, Knutsford Business Centre, began serving customers in June and was formally opened on July 14. It becomes Biomedical’s third location in St Ann, joining two collection centres at the Taj Mahal Shopping Centre and on Main Street in Ocho Rios.

Biomedical did not disclose the amount invested in the new centre or the number of people it employs.

Chief Executive Officer Helen Christian said Drax Hall was selected because of the community’s rapid growth and the need to make diagnostic services more accessible to people who live and work in the area.

“Our decision was guided by one simple objective — to make quality laboratory testing more convenient for the people who live and work in this area,” Christian said.

“We believe that no one should have to travel long distances to access dependable diagnostic services, and we are proud to bring Biomedical closer to the communities we serve,” she added.

The centre offers a range of laboratory and diagnostic testing services and operates Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The Drax Hall team: Biomedical CEO and Director Helen Christian (centre) joins staff members following the formal opening of the company’s 52nd collection centre in Drax Hall, St Ann, on July 14.

Christian said the expansion comes as Jamaica continues to contend with chronic noncommunicable diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. She said many of those conditions can develop before symptoms become apparent, making regular screening and early detection critical for improving health outcomes.

The opening also marked the introduction of an arrangement between Biomedical and GK One, the digital financial platform operated by GraceKennedy Group.

Under the arrangement, GK One cardholders will receive a five per cent discount on Biomedical’s executive profile when they pay using a GK One card. The companies did not disclose the cost of the testing package or the value of the resulting savings.

Anika Crawford, product owner at GK Financial Group, said the partnership is intended to extend GK One’s customer benefits beyond financial services.

“We also believe that it’s about creating meaningful partnerships that deliver value and improve access to essential services because health is one of our greatest personal investments,” Crawford said.

During the opening ceremony Biomedical also presented learning equipment to the Home Economics Department at Jonathan Grant High School, and recognised teacher Sanjae Stevenson for his contribution to student development. Stevenson received a complimentary Biomedical executive profile through his GK One membership.

Biomedical has operated in Jamaica since 1968 and is accredited by the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation under the ISO 15189 standard for medical laboratories.