Western Bureau:
The administration at the beleaguered Montego Bay-based Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) received something to smile about yesterday when it was presented with medical equipment valued at $5.5 million to help improve healthcare at the facility.
The much-welcomed donation was made by the Guardian Group Foundation, which is affiliated to Guardian Life Limited and Guardian General Insurance. The donation came courtesy of the funds generated from the group's Guardian Group 5K walk/run, which is staged annually in Montego Bay.
The equipment donated included a medication trolley, resuscitation (crash) trolley, defibrillator, and several folding screen panels, which are all critical to the services provided by the Type A hospital.
"We have many needs, but we will now be able to provide the services to our patients in an improved facility, thanks to the increase in equipment that has come via today's donation," said Denise Forsythe, acting chief executive officer at the CRH.
"The Guardian Group has always been with us and has supported us over the years, and we look forward to them continuing," added Forsythe.
Paul Thwaites, regional manager for Guardian General Insurance, told The Gleaner that the Guardian Group Foundation saw helping the hospital as an important component in its quest to help build a better Jamaica.
"We are always pleased to contribute to CRH, especially since it means that their efforts can improve healthcare and help to save a life," said Thwaites.
Oneil Brooks, regional manager of Guardian Life, said that going forward, the foundation would aim to improve upon its donations and that he was urging the rest of corporate Jamaica to follow suit.
"The hospital is really in need of assistance, and the Guardian Group Foundation is pleased to know that we could assist in this way," said Brooks. "We believe in giving back to the community, and this is just one of those gestures. We really hope that this will continue and, so next year, we will be here again."