Work has begun to prepare the grounds of Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) in Montego Bay, St. James, for the installation of a state-of-the-art medical dome that will add 100 beds to the facility.
The 10,000-square-foot structure, designed to withstand a category 4 hurricane, is being donated through a partnership between the Jamaican Government and international non-governmental organisations Judah 1 and the Kennedy Quick Reaction Fund. The facility was first announced by Health and Wellness Minister Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton during a hospital tour on January 24.
In addition to beds, the dome will be equipped with X-ray machines, autoclaves, essential clinical equipment, and a range of medical supplies. It is expected to arrive by late February and will be positioned near the hospital’s Accident & Emergency department to ensure smooth patient care.
At a media briefing at the Western Regional Health Authority Technical Office on Saturday (Feb. 7), Dr. Tufton said the additional beds would significantly increase CRH’s capacity, providing critical breathing room while restoration work continues on the main hospital building following damage from Hurricane Melissa, which destroyed about 157 beds. To date, 75 beds have been restored, bringing the hospital to 259 beds—or roughly 75 per cent of its pre-hurricane capacity.
“So again, for the gift of the 100-bed dome and all the other equipment supporting that, the health team is absolutely thrilled,” Dr. Tufton said.
Judah 1 CEO and Founder Everett Aaron noted that the dome would help meet the hospital’s urgent needs while providing a durable solution for the community. Christie Hutcherson, Chief Operating Officer of Kennedy International Logistics and Services, which operates the Kennedy Quick Reaction Fund, said engineers from the University of Miami have been assisting with the interior design and layout.
Hutcherson added that the donation includes not only the dome but also mattresses, medications, and basic clinical tools. “We chose the harder path, not because it was easier but because it’s the right thing to do,” she said, emphasizing the long-term benefits for the Jamaican people.
