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15 nurses at VJH receive specialised training and medical equipment from Issa Foundation

Published:Sunday | March 23, 2025 | 9:53 PM
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Staff of Victoria Jubilee Hospital alongside a team of nurses from the Centre for Global Health at Connecticut Children’s Hospital in the United States during specialised training designed to elevate maternal and neonatal care at the Kingston-based insti
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Staff of Victoria Jubilee Hospital alongside a team of nurses from the Centre for Global Health at Connecticut Children’s Hospital in the United States during specialised training designed to elevate maternal and neonatal care at the Kingston-based institution.
Staff at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital in Kingston, members of the Issa Foundation and medical professionals from the Centre for Global Health at Connecticut Children’s Hospital in the United States.
Contributed
Staff at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital in Kingston, members of the Issa Foundation and medical professionals from the Centre for Global Health at Connecticut Children’s Hospital in the United States.
Diane Pollard (left), President of the Issa Foundation, along with Paul Issa (third left), shares a moment with Wentworth Charles (second right), Board Chairman of SERHA; Barrington Graham (second left), CEO of Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH); and Dr Saman
Contributed
Diane Pollard (left), President of the Issa Foundation, along with Paul Issa (third left), shares a moment with Wentworth Charles (second right), Board Chairman of SERHA; Barrington Graham (second left), CEO of Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH); and Dr Samantha Walker, head of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at VJH.
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Fifteen nurses at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital’s (VJH) Maternal and Neonatal Unit in Kingston recently completed specialised training designed to elevate maternal and neonatal care through advanced nursing skills and best practices.

The five-month programme was facilitated by the Issa Foundation in partnership with the Centre for Global Health at Connecticut Children’s Hospital in the United States.

The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) said the initiative has already led to observable improvements in new-born care, highlighting the transformative power of combining education with practice.

“Nurses who underwent a two-week hands-on competency assessment are now better equipped to care for high-risk newborns with newfound confidence and expertise,” SERHA said in a statement.

“Complementing this training, the Issa Foundation has generously donated critical nursing supplies to fortify the unit’s capacity. This synchronised effort aims to ensure that every new-born receives the compassionate, skilled care they deserve.”

Diane Pollard, President of the Issa Foundation, emphasised, “Our goal is to expand this training regionally. We are committed to bolstering healthcare professionals’ capabilities, ultimately enhancing neonatal care across Jamaica.”

Dr Samantha Walker, Head of the NICU at VJH, noted significant strides made, “With the evolving demands of neonatal care, empowering our nurses with knowledge and tools is paramount. The changes we’ve witnessed in patient outcomes are truly heartening.”

Dr Sheron Wagner, co-leader of the training team, said, “Equipped with the right training, our nurses are now offering their best care, enhanced by excellent hospital resources.”

Wentworth Charles, board chairman of SERHA, praised the collaborative effort, attributing future improvements in Jamaica’s healthcare landscape to such partnerships.

“This initiative is a testament to the enduring impact of collaborative healthcare efforts,” he said.

“SERHA and its partners continue to seek ways to improve healthcare standards, encouraging similar collaborative efforts in this region (the largest of the four health regions in Jamaica).”