13/01/2026
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U.S.-Accredited Hyperbaric Facility Promises Safer Care, Fewer Amputations and Long-Term Local Capacity
By Rhondor Dowlat
Senior Journalist
Pen Point Solutions Limited
PPSL News 24/7
President of the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine, Dr Tyler Sexton, says Trinidad and Tobago’s newest hyperbaric medical facility represents far more than a technological upgrade—it signals a shift toward safer care, reduced amputations, and sustainable medical development for the region.
Speaking during a recent media tour of the facility by Pen Point Solutions Limited, Dr Sexton stressed that the project is part of an international collaboration built on U.S. medical standards, strict safety protocols and long-term oversight.
“This is not about boasting,” Sexton said. “This is about international site certification, safety, legality and patient flow. The way patients are assessed, documented and treated here mirrors systems used in the United States and other advanced medical environments.”
He explained that the facility’s layout, fire safety systems, pressure controls and operational protocols were all designed to meet global benchmarks, including U.S. and European standards. The hyperbaric chamber itself is certified for human occupancy and approved for use worldwide.
Preventing a Common Caribbean Failure
Addressing concerns about sustainability, Sexton acknowledged a familiar regional challenge—high-end medical equipment falling into disrepair due to lack of maintenance.
“I’ve seen it too many times in the Caribbean,” he said. “Something fancy is purchased, then it breaks down and no one maintains it. That will not happen here.”
He confirmed that the chamber is covered by a three-year maintenance plan, backed by manufacturers and international partners. In addition, Sexton said he is personally committed to the facility’s long-term success, noting that he is also seeking licensure in Trinidad and Tobago.
“I’m here for the long haul,” he said. “The American College of Hyperbaric Medicine will not let this fail.”
Reducing Amputations Through Science
A major focus of the programme is advanced wound care, particularly for diabetic patients—an area where Sexton believes lives and limbs can be saved.
“In many cases, people enter the public health system with a wound, it doesn’t heal, gangrene sets in and amputation follows,” he said. “That cycle can be broken.”
According to Sexton, hyperbaric therapy alone can heal chronic wounds about 60 per cent of the time. When combined with structured wound care, that figure rises to approximately 87 per cent, significantly reducing the need for amputations.
“This is science, not opinion,” he stressed. “If I’m wrong, you lose your leg. If I’m right, you walk out. Why not take the chance?”
The facility is also equipped with advanced vascular imaging and wound-assessment technology—some of which is not currently available elsewhere in Trinidad and Tobago. Sexton revealed that more than US$100,000 in diagnostic equipment was donated by U.S.-based medical organisations to support care on the island.
Care for All Ages and Conditions
Sexton said hyperbaric medicine has applications across multiple specialties, including wound care, orthopaedics, oncology, neurology, autoimmune disorders, traumatic brain injury and post-concussion treatment.
“This team can treat patients from four months old to 105,” he said. “Age has no boundary. Hope is eternal. Healing happens under pressure.”
The clinical team includes paediatric and adult specialists, all trained and certified through internationally recognised programmes. Physicians have completed the required 40-hour hyperbaric medicine training used in the United States for insurance-approved care.
Equitable Access and Local Training
On concerns about affordability and access, Sexton said efforts are under way to ensure equitable treatment options for public patients and ordinary citizens, including engagement with insurers and public stakeholders.
“We want care for everyone,” he said. “Access is the challenge—but we are actively working on solutions.”
Importantly, Sexton emphasised that the facility is designed not to create dependence on foreign expertise, but to build local capacity. Plans are already in place to launch a training and education programme for local and regional medical professionals by late February or early March.
“We’re not just bringing technology—we’re teaching,” he said. “The goal is to make Trinidad and Tobago a producer of specialised medical expertise, not just a consumer.”
As Sexton concluded, the facility stands as what he described as “a beacon of international collaboration,” grounded in safety, science and a commitment to improving lives across the Caribbean.
