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EU delivers $80 million in medical equipment to Jamaica

Published:Wednesday | May 20, 2020 | 5:04 PM
Lainsworth Walker (left), Technical Director of Medical Link along with Health and Wellness Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton (right) and Head of the European Union Delegation to Jamaica, Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, at the handing over of medical equipment by the EU to Jamaica on May 20, 2020 - Kenyon Hemans photo

Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer 

Jamaica today received a donation of medical equipment and supplies valued at over $80 million from the European Union to help bolster the country's health system and the fight against the coronavirus.

This is the second such donation to the country by the EU since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The shipment consists of 21 critical care electric beds, 39 patient monitors, 33 infusion pumps, 10 defibrillators, six transport patient monitors, and other equipment specifically for maternal and child care.

The supplies were purchased by CEDI Europe BV from Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Hungary, Poland and Turkey under the EU-funded Program for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality (PROMAC).

The equipment will be distributed to hospitals across the country and medical personnel will be trained to use them by Medical Link, the local representatives of CEDI Europe BV.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton and Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith received the equipment on behalf of the Government from EU Ambassador to Jamaica Malgorzata Wasilewska, German Ambassador Dr Bernd Von Munchow-Pohl, French Ambassador Denys Wibaux and Belgium Ambassador Hugo Verbist.

"The European Union and its member states are committed to supporting the fight against the coronavirus. We know only too well that the only way to stop its spread is by working together. Within this context, our aim is to support Jamaica to strengthen the national health system to save lives and preserve people's health and well-being," Wasilewska said at the brief handing over ceremony.

She noted that in the spirit of solidarity and friendship and as part of the COVID-19 response, the EU is accelerating plans and shifting funds and will be extending further support to Jamaica's health sector in short order.

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