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JMF gives financial aid for treatment to child with cerebral palsy

Published:Wednesday | August 17, 2016 | 12:00 AM
Andrew Lloyd Sr (second left) receives a contribution of $100,000 from Oliver Jones, chairman emeritus of the Jamaica Medical Foundation (JMF), to enable his son, Andrew Lloyd Jr (in pram), to receive treatment from Johns Hopkins Children’s Centre in the United States. Looking on are Mrs Lloyd and Orville Johnson, executive director of the Insurance Association of Jamaica, a JMF Trustee.

The Jamaica Medical Foundation (JMF) recently contributed $100,000 to assist Andrew Lloyd Sr in his quest to help his two-year-old son, Andrew Lloyd Jr - who suffers from infantile spasms, global development delay, and cerebral palsy - obtain treatment at Johns Hopkins Children's Centre, Paediatric Neurology Division in the United States.

Andrew Jr, the only child for his parents, was first seen in consultation at age seven months at Kidz Klinik, a private paediatric clinic in Kingston.

His parents were then concerned about his delayed development, the occurrence of repeated clusters of flexion spasms since three-and-a-half months, and noisy breathing since birth.

NO IMPROVEMENT

On referral to the paediatric neurology clinic at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) further work-up and treatment were received with no significant improvement in the child's condition.

This made it necessary for the consultant in paediatrics and paediatric neurology at the UHWI to refer Andrew to the Johns Hopkins Children's Centre.

On making the presentation, Oliver Jones, chairman emeritus and former chairman of the foundation, said: "The JMF is always ready and willing to assist with medical emergencies."

Michael Fraser, current chairman of the JMF, is on a quest to help the JMF to increase its funds through membership, fundraising activities and donations to enable the foundation, an outreach arm of the Jamaican insurance industry, to fulfil its mantra which is 'Providing a Lifeline to Health'.