Private sector commits $150m to help with COVID-19 fight

AS THE number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) increases in Jamaica, private-sector organisations are giving their commitment to assist the Government of Jamaica with the relevant resources needed to effectively manage the cases.

Member companies of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), across various industries, have now joined forces and have committed to contributing a total of $150 million to purchase ventilators to outfit the hospitals that have been designated by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) to handle the persons infected with the virus.

President of the PSOJ, Keith Duncan, said, “The PSOJ has been actively supporting the Government of Jamaica with the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for ventilators was identified as a critical area of the public health response. We saw this as a very important initiative around which to rally the private sector to save as many Jamaican lives as possible. We’re happy that our stakeholders have come on board and have so far pledged $150million.”

Collective responsibility

Christopher Zacca, president and CEO of Sagicor Group Jamaica and a member of the MOHW COVID-19 Response Advisory Team, noted that it is the collective responsibility of all citizens to play their part in helping to control and mitigate the spread of the virus. “Public-private partnership is especially important during times like this, as we have to tackle this virus as one united country, doing all we can to lessen the impact on the lives of all citizens,” Zacca said.

Leading the charge in the $150-million contribution were NCB Financial Group, who have contributed $30 million; Sagicor Group Jamaica with $20 million; JMMB and Scotiabank Jamaica with $15 million each. The Sandals Foundation and the We Care Foundation together contributed $20 million.

Other donors included ICD Group, Jamaica Broilers, Restaurants of Jamaica, JP Group, the Richard and Diana Stewart Foundation, GK Group, and Musson.

Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of health and wellness, expressed gratitude for the donation. “As the Government works tirelessly to combat the threat of the coronavirus, we continue to emphasise and embrace the strength of community. The ministry extends heartfelt gratitude to the PSOJ and its members for their contribution to our efforts in protecting the lives and interest of every Jamaican citizen.”

The heads of the contributing institutions are appealing to other corporate entities to help in whichever they can, noting that the more support and resources Jamaica has, the better able we are, as a country, to successfully respond to, manage, and control the spread of the virus.