Digicel Foundation gives hospital over $1.6 million in equipment

Digicel Foundation recently partnered with King's House to provide much-needed medical equipment to the Port Antonio Hospital in Portland. The hospital's chairman, Hugh Perry, and chief executive officer, Althea Gardner, along with staff of the facility, which has a complement of more than 200 healthcare professionals, welcomed the visit from Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen.

Digicel Foundation Chair Jean Lowrie-Chin accompanied the governor general and Lady Allen, as well as the custos of Portland, Lincoln Thaxter, on a two-hour tour of the hospital.

The group visited both the maternity and paediatric wards. During their visit, Lowrie-Chin announced to the delighted administrative and nursing staff that Digicel Foundation had purchased critical medical equipment for donation to the healthcare facility.

DONATED EQUIPMENT

The foundation will donate an electronic patient-care monitor, a defibrillator, a nebuliser, and an electronic foetal monitor, valued at more than J$1.65 million. The equipment was provided following a needs assessment at the hospital.

Allen congratulated the Port Antonio Hospital on its 75th anniversary. Commenting on the pressure that many healthcare institutions find themselves under due to increased demand for their services, he said: "Today, we pause to show appreciation to you, who do so much with very little. Despite the scarce resources, you have not allowed this constraint to compromise your mandate to deliver the best possible service to your patients."

Noting the value of the private-sector partnerships that the hospital has benefited from, Sir Patrick thanked the Digicel Foundation for its generosity in providing the much-needed equipment.

"This equipment will not only help to save lives, it also reflects the foundation's goals of strengthening communities, including our friends and partners in rural Jamaica, where access to healthcare is particularly important for the quality of life of our citizens outside urban areas," said Lowrie-Chin.

"We are so happy and honoured to join their excellencies, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen, on their tour of the hospital. We know that, as a former nurse herself, Lady Allen has a particular interest [in] and truly cares about improving the health and well-being of Jamaican citizens. We at Digicel Foundation feel the same way," Lowrie-Chin added.