Health care gets 9.6m boost

The health care capacity of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) facilities, which covers Manchester, St Elizabeth and Clarendon, will be boosted through the commitment of J$9.6 million from bauxite and alumina company Jamalco. The first of two disbursements valued at $4.8 million has been handed over to the SRHA.

The first payment will purchase 10 wheelchairs, 30 automatic hand-soap dispensers, 30 hand sanitisers, 25-foot-operated faucets, 10 hand dryers, a hand drill, and an orthopaedic saw. The second tranche of funds, which will be disbursed subsequently, will purchase stretchers and beds.

According to Regional Director of the SRHA Michael Bent, the region has been focused on improving its services and offerings in several areas, such as quality assurance, which the donation will help to improve.

"The donation, which will purchase some orthopaedic items have come at an opportune time. This will certainly boost our capacity to deliver efficient and effective services, and we are most grateful to Jamalco. As a region, we support public-private partnerships, and we thank Jamalco for their support and look forward to continued partnerships" Bent said.

"Jamalco takes its social responsibility seriously and we are committed to helping with the social renewal of communities," Corporate Services Manager Donna-Marie Brooks-Gordon said.

- Tamara Bailey