Sandals Foundation donates medical equipment to St Ann’s Bay Hospital
SANDALS Foundation recently donated medical equipment valued at $1.2 million to the Accident and Emergency Department at St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital in the parish.
Elated staff members said they were overjoyed at receiving the well-needed equipment for the hospital.
Sister Carmen Johnson, who chaired a brief ceremony for the handing-over of the equipment, said she was happy for the donation which will address some of the challenges faced by the department.
“We wont be waiting long to use these equipment,” she said.
Dr Kyaw Soe Myint, consultant in the Accident and Emergency Department, said they have been facing challenges for the last five to six years and the donated equipment will greatly help.
Chief Executive Officer of the hospital Leo Garel lauded Sandals Foundation for its continued support.
“You have made your mark here; you have set a trend for others to follow,” he said, adding that he hoped others would join in partnering with the hospital to improve the level of service being offered.
Also lauding the Sandals Foundation for the donation was state minister in Office of the Prime Minister Luther Buchanan.
“I thank the Sandals Foundation for its vision and for pursing this very positive initiative to assist the communities served by the St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital, which will stand to benefit tremendously from this effort,” he said.
He also called on staff to take care of the equipment.
“It belongs to all of us and therefore is the responsibility of all of us. I want to ask the north-east region to ensure that proper and adequate maintenance schedules are put in place so that the people can get the full use of these equipment,” he added.
Among the items donated were patient monitors, nebulisers, infusion pump, I-V poles and blood pressure equipment.
Director of Sandals Foundation Heidi Clarke said the organisation hopes the equipment will go a far way in making a difference at the facility. She noted that the foundation, which is celebrating five years, has been contributing significantly to health in the Caribbean since its inception.
