UPDATED: $1.4 million donation to May Pen Hospital expected to enhance healthcare

A donation worth $1.4 million to the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon is expected to enhance the quality of healthcare services at the facility. 

Spearheaded by Dr Ivanah Thomas, a philanthropist and medical practitioner at the hospital, the donation comprised essential medical supplies and much-needed wheelchairs. The contributions were made possible through the support of United States-based entity Advent Health, along with assistance from Andrews Memorial Hospital and Biomedical Laboratory Ltd. 

The handover was done in a ceremony on the hospital grounds recently. 

The hospital's chief executive officer (CEO), Eugena Clarke-James, emphasised that the donation will boost the facility's endeavour to transform it into a centre of excellence.

Stressing the concept of healthcare as a collaborative effort, Clarke-James said, "Despite the challenges at times, there are a lot of positives at the May Pen Hospital. We are open for change and transformation, and as we transform to be a centre of excellence, we cannot do it on our own. We continue to strengthen that intersectoral collaboration with our donors to strengthen the service.”

She continued, “The Government cannot do it alone, because healthcare is very expensive. We are truly grateful for this donation because these are items that we use all the time. We are in this business to optimise healthcare and these items will be used to deliver healthcare in an efficient and effective way to our clients."

Clarke-James expressed gratitude to the donor, adding that Dr Thomas had been instrumental in securing crucial contributions to support May Pen Hospital's advancement towards excellence.

Speaking of the venture, Thomas shared, “I [went] overseas and asked for some help for May Pen Hospital as it relates to our wheelchairs, and Advent Health was gracious to donate some wheelchairs through Andrews Memorial Hospital, who transported them here to Jamaica.

“I also collaborated with Biomedical Labs and asked if they had any excess items that they could share, and they did a whole truck full of items. We are absolutely grateful and thankful, and I know this will go a far way in helping us to become that centre of excellence that we are pursuing."

Helen Christian, CEO of Biomedical Laboratory, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "it marks the beginning of something great that will substantially improve healthcare for Jamaicans."

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