Petrojam offers fuel lifeline to Sav-la-Mar field hospital

Petrojam has pumped more than 20,000 litres of fuel to power the Savanna-la-Mar field hospital in Westmoreland. The initiative, launched in December 2025 just days after the facility was erected, has already delivered nearly 800 hours of uninterrupted electricity.

The hospital, set up on the grounds of the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, was built by the Barbados Defence Force after Hurricane Melissa devastated the original structure in October, leaving it without power. Staffed by Jamaican medics and Barbadian volunteers, the temporary facility was a gift from the government of Barbados.

Dr Suman Vemu, senior medical officer, welcomed the support: “Through this vital fuel lifeline, we have been able to deliver critical medical services to the people of Westmoreland and surrounding parishes at a time when they need it most. Through timely deliveries of fuel from Petrojam, we have been able to schedule operations and offer other health services, knowing that we have reliable power supply to support continuity of care to some of our most vulnerable communities. Our team is extremely grateful to Petrojam for this life-saving effort.”

Anderson Goodridge, Emergency Medical Team commander of the Barbados Defence Force, said the fuel donation kept essential equipment running and enabled his volunteers to provide uninterrupted care. “The Barbados Defence Force extends sincere thanks to Petrojam for its timely support, which significantly enhanced the effectiveness of humanitarian-assistance efforts and demonstrated strong regional cooperation during a time of need.”

Petrojam’s General Manager, Telroy Morgan, framed the effort as part of a broader commitment: “Mobilising fuel support for the Savanna-la-Mar field hospital underscores our major commitment to serving Jamaica’s energy needs through the good times and the bad. It is also an important plank of the values we live by. By working closely with the hospital administration and volunteers from Barbados, we’re not only responding to the immediate healthcare needs of the people, but we’re also reimagining sustainability in emergency response.”

Since Hurricane Melissa, Petrojam has also supported the US-based Fuel Relief Fund, helping distribute emergency supplies of petrol and cooking gas to the Falmouth Field Hospital in Trelawny and to communities in St James and Westmoreland.