FOOD for the Poor handed over $2 million worth of medication for the treatment of Pink Eye, and antibiotics for the purpose of boosting the immune system of persons with HIV to the Ministry of Health (MOH) last week.

“When my good friend called me to say that Food for the Poor had sourced pharmaceuticals to assist us with this outbreak of Pink Eye, we were indeed very glad, minister of health, John Junor, said at the handing over of the pharmaceuticals at the MOH head office. “It has occurred at a point where, although we now have a decline, the epidemic has peaked and we still have great need.”

Jamaica has been experiencing an outbreak of Pink Eye since July this year. The ministry reports that while the disease is on the decline, the number of cases is still above normal levels.

Minister Junor said that by week 33 of the outbreak, there were over 2,000 cases. However, that figure plunged to 700 by week 38, but despite the significant drop, Junor said the problem still placed “demand on the (health) system”.

He commended Food for the Poor for their contribution and said the role played by voluntary organisations, such as Food for the Poor, in the health sector is underestimated. “We benefit tremendously. We are in a sector in which we can truly say volunteerism is not dead,” he said.

Junor added that as far as the HIV virus is concerned, one of the greatest misfortunes is the tendency on the part of those who are well to discriminate against those who are not.

“The extent to which stigma is attached to this condition is partly related to the fact that it is seen as a death sentence,” Junor said.

He also added that the ministry, through two pharmaceutical organisations, will provide medicine that prevents a pregnant woman from transmitting the HIV virus to her child.

Food for the Poor president, Robin Mahfood, in his address announced that the charity is in the process of opening two clinics — one at St Joseph’s Hospital in Kingston and the other at the Spanish Town Hospital in St Catherine.

The clinics, he said, will cater to individuals with HIV who are unable to afford treatment. “The clinics will be for people who can’t afford medical help. They will be able to go and watch videos about health care,” Mahfood said. “We are trying to help people to help themselves.”