Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has welcomed the installation of a 100-bed medical dome at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, describing it as a critical response to ongoing space constraints following hurricane damage and delayed reconstruction. Speaking in Montego Bay, Tufton said the donated, hurricane-resistant facility will ease pressure on accident and emergency services and healthcare workers while permanent rebuilding continues, noting that interim solutions are essential to stabilise health care delivery in western Jamaica.

100-bed medical dome aimed at easing pressure on CRH

Jamaica Gleaner/9 Feb 2026/Janet Silvera/Gleaner Writer 

A 10,000-SQUARE-FOOT medical dome capable of housing up to 100 hospital beds is to be installed at the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) in Montego Bay, St James, providing critical interim relief as the long-delayed reconstruction of the facility continues.

The ballistic-rated dome, which is to be flown into Jamaica by the end of February, is being donated permanently through an international humanitarian coalition led by Judah One and Kennedy International Logistics and Services.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, addressing a media briefing in Montego Bay last Saturday, said the additional capacity will significantly ease pressure on accident and emergency services, patients and healthcare workers at the CRH, which lost more than half of its bed capacity following hurricane damage.

Judah One CEO Everett Aaron said the decision to bring the dome to Jamaica was made after seeing conditions at the CRH in the aftermath of the hurricane.

“When we walked through the hospital and saw what staff were dealing with, it became clear this could not be a short-term fix,” Aaron said.“we made the decision to donate this dome 100 per cent to the people of Jamaica.”

The dome, commonly used in military, industrial and disaster-response settings, is engineered to withstand Category 4 hurricanes and is designed to be expandable, allowing additional units to be connected if required.

Aaron said Judah One initially acquired the structure more than a year ago to support hurricane relief efforts in Florida, but redirected it after discussions with the Ministry of Health and hospital leadership.

“This is not a six-month solution, and it is not a one-year solution,”he said. “We are making a long-term commitment.”

‘A GIFT TO THE JAMAICAN PEOPLE’

Chrissy Hutcherson, CEO of Kennedy International Logistics and Services and a board member of the Kennedy Quick Reaction Fund, said the intervention grew out of early hurricane response efforts that included restoring communications, facilitating food supplies, and supporting emergency responders.

“As assessments continued, it became evident that Cornwall required longer-term support to address the loss of beds caused by hurricane damage and ongoing construction,” Hutcherson said.

The dome will include hospital beds, mattresses, X-ray systems, autoclaves and other critical medical equipment and supplies, all of which are being provided at no cost to the Government of Jamaica. Engineers from the University of Miami worked alongside the CRH clinical leadership to design the interior layout, including bed spacing and nurses’ stations.

“All of the equipment we are bringing is a gift to the Jamaican people,”hutcherson said.“it is what was requested to support patient care and relieve pressure on staff.”

The facility will be positioned close to the CRH’S Accident and Emergency Department to allow for smoother patient transfers and improved patient flow.

Tufton said the dome forms part of a wider strategy to stabilise services at the CRH while permanent rebuilding continues. The hospital lost approximately 157 beds following the hurricane, though about 75 beds have since been restored, returning capacity to roughly 75 per cent of pre-hurricane levels.

“The most immediate challenge has been space,” Tufton said. “This intervention helps to address that while construction progresses.”

While the CRH is now targeted for full completion by 2026, Tufton said interim measures, such as the dome, are essential to ease the current strain on the health system in western Jamaica.

 

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