Carnegie Foundation gifts medical supplies to Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville, Manchester:

Burdened by an influx of individuals who present with serious injuries as a result of motorcycle crashes, the Mandeville Regional Hospital on Tuesday welcomed a much-needed donation of orthopaedic equipment, among other supplies, from the Carnegie Foundation for Cancer Research.

The items, which are said to value approximately US$40,000, include orthopaedic and prosthetic equipment, Med-Surg shoes, surgical boots, back braces, extrication collars, operating theatre protective clothing, scrubs, crutches and paediatric items such as swaddlers and scales.

At the handover session at the hospital, Senior Medical Officer Dr Everton McIntosh revealed that the constraints of the facility have intensified during the ongoing pandemic and, as a result, there is always a need.

“We appreciate all the assistance we can get from our partners here and abroad. Even with the best of intentions, it is just not possible to meet all the needs that we have with the budget given. We depend significantly on benevolence from [places ] like Carnegie ... . This is a significant contribution and we do appreciate it.”

Motorcycle crash challenge

McIntosh added that the strains on the orthopaedic department increases every year, with numerous deaths occurring as patients present with multiple fractures.

“In our region, the biggest challenge is with motorbike accidents in St Elizabeth, (and) the eastern parts of Westmoreland. Severe fractures, multiple fractures, [with] sometimes weeks and months in hospital; and multiple operations can really cost the public purse to get them back on their feet.”

With many repeat offenders being admitted to the facility with motorcycle crash injuries, chief executive officer of the hospital, Alwyn Miller, used the the opportunity to caution road users who violate road traffic laws to their detriment and the safety of others.

Having previously donated approximately $3 million in equipment to the facility, the director at the foundation, Beverly Henry, said the aim is help the hospital and other medical institutions serve their communities better.

“Our aim is to see how best we can assist the hospital and the region to be able to serve the community much better. In this of COVID when they’re are so many challenges and the resources have to be directed elsewhere, if everybody can give something to the hospital to help defray costs, I think that is [everything],” she said.

The Carnegie Foundation, in partnership with the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Cancer Research Unit, is now looking to see how best the cancer treatment programme at the hospital can be assisted.

Director at the recently established Cancer Research Unit at the NCU, Dr Kacey Reid, said the main focus is screening medicinal plants and uncovering their bioactive and anti-cancer properties.

“ We are trying to standardise the use of medicinal plants. Caribbean persons are very well aware of the value of herbs. NCU is focusing on creating formulations from medicinal plants that are standardised and backed by scientific research ... . We are very grateful for our relationship with the Carneige Foundation, which has been instrumental in the development and upgrading of this facility. “

The Carnegie Foundation, which in a registered charity, said it also accepts donations for several causes.

Donations can be made to the National Commercial Bank, a/c No. 854162937.