American Friends of Jamaica gives Cornwall Regional medical supplies

Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), Montego Bay, has received a 40-foot container of medical supplies courtesy of the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ).

The container, which arrived on the island Sunday, July 29, contains, among other things, an ultrasound machine, vital sign monitors, suction machines, pulse oximeter, defibrillators and nebulisers. Also included are electric beds, cribs, infant diapers, gurneys, and wheelchairs. The medical supplies are valued at some $9 million Jamaican dollars.

The medical supplies and equipment will be presented to the Paediatric Ward at the CRH. Ambassador Sue Cobb, president of the AFJ says, "We are thrilled to work in partnership with CRH to ensure that essential health services are meeting the needs of communities in western Jamaica".

More than one million people rely on the hospital for medical care. The paediatric ward admits approximately 2,000 children - from newborns to 12-year-olds - annually. The largest number of admissions of the paediatric ward is due to respiratory illnesses and infectious diseases. Premature babies comprise the majority of respiratory cases. The paediatric ward therefore needs equipment, such as vital signs machines, oxygen saturation machines, and nebulisers; supplies that are essential to provide medical attention to Jamaican children.

The AFJ was introduced to the hospital by the group "We Care for Cornwall Regional", and subsequently they assessed the needs and challenges at the hospital and took active steps to help improve the conditions there. Improving the health care of Jamaican people, and bridging the gap that exists in the system has always been at the root of the organisation's efforts.

"The AFJ seeks to ensure that the assistance we provide is evidence-based and that our efforts are spent maximising impact and improving people's lives," says Mark M Jones, AFJ treasurer and vice-president. In this regard, the AFJ says the paediatric ward at Cornwall Regional is vital to western Jamaica communities and thus much deserving of this contribution.

About AFJ

Founded in 1982, the AFJ is a charitable organisation built on the principles of service and philanthropy. It was established to provide assistance in the areas of education, health care, and economic development. The AFJ works with a broad coalition of Jamaican organisations and stakeholders to bring about change in the lives of Jamaicans in need.