MONTEGO BAY, St James — THE Montego Bay-based Good Shepherd Foundation (GSF) got a boost last Friday, when First Global Bank presented the organisation with a cheque for $200,000 towards the construction of a multimillion-dollar medical facility.

Founder and patron of the Good Shepherd, Archbishop Charles Dufour received the cheque on behalf of the GSF board from Maria Ho Sue, First Global’s assistant vice-president for business development in the western region, during a brief presentation at the bishop’s Chancery office along Fort Street, Montego Bay.

Ho Sue said First Global Bank was quite pleased to make the contribution to the charitable organisation, adding that the financial institution is satisfied that the money will be used for a worthy cause.

Board chairman of the GSF, attorney Jeanne Foster-Robinson and Dufour urged other organisations to play their part in assisting with the construction of the facility.

“The needs are so great everywhere and for you to have chosen the Good Shepherd Foundation resonates with us,” said Foster-Robinson at the handing over-ceremony.

“…We regard this donation as seed money and we will ensure that we build on this. First Global Bank is known as being a foundation bank and we are so happy that we will be able to build on such a foundation,” Foster-Robinson added.

Ground is expected to be broken for the two-storey facility on June 11.

Nancy Maffessanti, the architect for the project, said upon completion, the building will have an out-patient clinic, doctors’ rooms, a pharmacy, living quarters for resident and visiting doctors, dentistry, a waiting area, a canteen, and an operating theatre to undertake minor procedures.

“A laboratory and a rehabilitation centre for patients who may need ongoing therapy will also be included,” she added.

Patients using the facility will be required to pay a nominal fee.