H&L pumps $9m into Adopt A Clinic programme
Published:Saturday | February 27, 2021 | 12:13 AMRasbert Turner/Gleaner Writer
Construction, agri-culture and home-improvement outfit Hardware & Lumber (H&L) has committed to pumping $9 million into three health centres across the island over the next three years under the health ministry’s Adopt a Clinic programme.
Speaking during a ceremony marking his company’s adoption of the Duhaney Park Health Centre in St Andrew on Thursday, H&L Managing Director Marcus Richards explained that the three health facilities will receive $1 million per year for the duration of the partnership.
“It is with a great deal of pride that ... [I am] here today to confirm my commitment to the development of health services in Jamaica. It is beyond a corporate responsibility. It is a necessity, especially to Duhaney Park, which sees more than 3,000 patients monthly,” Richards said, emphasising that it was important to improve the service delivery at the Type Three medical facility.
In addition to Duhaney Park, the health centres in Lincoln, Manchester, and Waterford, Portmore, will also benefit from the partnership.
St Andrew Western Member of Parliament Anthony Hylton, who donated three ceiling fans to the clinic, remarked that H&L’s was a timely intervention.
“This shows pride and love for the community in which the business operates. It shows that corporate responsibility is alive, and we are thankful for Hardware & Lumber,” Hylton said.
The Duhaney Park Health Centre also serves areas such as Patrick City, Sherlock Crescent, Riverton Meadows, Pembroke Hall, Ackee Walk, Callaloo Mews, Cooreville Gardens, New Haven and other surrounding communities.
Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton saluted H&L for a meaningful effort to improve the working environment.
“Health workers are under tremendous pressure, emotionally and physically. Therefore, any help must be welcome. Health workers are at the front in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, so much so that they are always at risk,” Tufton noted.
He said that efficiently operating health centres would help to ease the burden on the hospitals, which are coming under pressure from rising COVID-19 cases.
“Can you imagine if we didn’t have health centres during this time? We know that things would have been unbearable,” Tufton said.
He thanked the H&L Group for its donation, which will help to renovate and provide medical equipment and supplies at the selected centres.
There was consensus that more such adoptions are needed to help the 325 health centres islandwide to operate more smoothly.