EXPECTED TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON PATIENT DELIVERY
ANNOTTO BAY, St Mary, Aug. 15, 2024
Annotto Bay Hospital has received a 4,000-gallon liquid medical oxygen (LMO) plant.
The LMO plant infrastructure is expected to improve how oxygen is supplied, stored, and delivered to patients. The liquid medical oxygen is outfitted to the wards for patients who need respiratory attention.
The infrastructure was put in at a cost of US$200,000 (J$30 Million equivalent) through a partnership among the Ministry of Health and Wellness, USAID, and Epic.
Annotto Bay is the second hospital in the island to receive such infrastructure, Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) being the first in 2022.
Board chairman for the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) Laura Herron, in expressing thanks, said the LMO would allow the hospital to swiftly and effectively support patients who need respiratory attention. She pointed out that such need was highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Regional technical director of NERHA, Dr. Patrick Wheatle said that the hospital was under major pressure for oxygen during the pandemic. He said the infrastructure to provide oxygen was welcomed.
“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 same back and forth with the hospitals to see where their oxygen level was.”
Also speaking was Sue -Anne Wallace Brown associate director of Epic Jamaica.
(From Left, associate director EPIC Jamaica Sue-Anne Wallace-Brown; regional technical director, North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) Dr Patrick Wheatle; Board chairman NERHA, Laura Herron and health team lead USAID Elijah Patel at the recent handing over of the 4,000-gallon liquid medical oxygen infrastructure at the Annotto Bay hospital, St Mary).
