Sagicor targets $100M in 2024 Sigma ‘Honour’ Run

The Sagicor Foundation has set an ambitious target to raise $100 million for its 2024 Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run Beneficiaries: The Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, the National Chest Hospital and the Danny Williams School for the Deaf.

Over the last 26 years, the Sigma Run – the largest road race in the Caribbean – has had a major impact on the health and education sectors; raising over $650 million for more than 27 beneficiaries while galvanising the compassion and support of thousands of Jamaicans.

Christopher Zacca, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Sagicor Group Jamaica, and newly appointed chairman of the Sagicor Foundation, emphasised the company’s commitment to making a lasting difference.

“For us, the Sagicor Sigma Run is not just a charity event; it is a manifestation of our responsibility to the communities we serve as corporate citizens. By supporting these vital institutions, we aim to always contribute to the development of a healthier, more educated, and inclusive Jamaica,” he said.

For the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, the news of being selected as a beneficiary of the Sagicor Sigma Run 2024 is nothing short of a lifeline. The hospital, which provides significant surgical and patient care in the central and western regions of the island, has seen a steady increase in orthopaedic patients in its surgical unit, prompting the critical expansion of its two operating theatres.

“This year we are focused on expanding our operating theatre capacity based on the need for surgical ward space required by orthopaedic cases. Our bed capacity is up to 200 beds, and there are days when our patient load far exceeds that,” explained Camile Lewin, the hospital’s CEO.

“The expansion of the unit will have a triple positive effect by allowing us to decrease wait-times for surgery, and the average length of stay for each patient, as well as improve the delivery of our overall healthcare services, so we welcome the support from Sagicor.”

Noting the crucial role public-private partnerships play in improving healthcare systems, Lewin shared, “Our public healthcare system has limitations that at times require support from private companies like Sagicor. We cannot do it alone. We must encourage these relationships to collectively find solutions for the improvement of our nation’s healthcare delivery.”

GRATEFUL FOR SUPPORT

Echoing Lewin’s sentiment in relation to the education sector, Heidi-Ann Mitchell Dillon, principal of the Danny Williams School for the Deaf, highlighted the importance of inclusive education and fostering an environment where every child can thrive.

“I know that the deaf community is happy that we are being recognised, because we see this as a greater impact than just at the school level. Public awareness and education mean so much to us. Our members want equitable treatment and opportunities; therefore, inclusion is very important. As a country, Jamaica has made some strides in becoming more inclusive toward its deaf and hard of hearing, but more needs to be done. The support from Sagicor through the Sigma Run will further open those doors especially for students with special needs.”

The Danny Williams School for the Deaf has been in operation for over 50 years and is dedicated to empowering deaf preschool and primary school students with education and life skills. Burdened by increasing costs to provide visual and digital learning resources for the students, school administrators are elated at the intervention.

“Due to inflation, we have seen a steep rise in the cost of providing our deaf and hard of hearing children with laptops, and other technological aids that they need in the classroom. We are happy that such genuine care, concern, and love is being shown to the deaf community.”

The National Chest Hospital plays a vital role in the fight against respiratory illnesses. As the only institution in the government health system that provides bronchoscopy for patients, the hospital has been without a functioning bronchoscopy unit for over two years.

Dwayne Francis, CEO of the National Chest Hospital, emphasised the significance of the collaboration in advancing patient care.

“The surgical, medical, and administrative teams are grateful for the support from Sagicor. Our cardiothoracic surgery capacity is in urgent need of improvement and with the intervention we look forward to increasing our capacity to better serve Jamaicans.”

The 2024 Sigma Run staging dubbed ‘The Honour Run’ will be held in honour of late founder and Sagicor Foundation chairman, Dr the Honourable R. Danny Williams. The Run will be held on Sunday, February 18 in New Kingston.

Interested participants are encouraged to register as early as possible via Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run’s website at www.sagicorsigmarun.com.