NEW YORK (JIS) – The Vincent HoSang Family Foundation (VHFF) has donated US$38,000 to purchase a walk-through thermal sensing unit to be installed at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston as part of Jamaica’s Ebola preparedness and response activities.

The cheque presentation, which took place on December 22, followed an appeal by the Jamaican Consulate in New York, which is spearheading the Jamaica Ebola Prevention Programme’s response activities in the Diaspora.  

“After hearing the Jamaican Consulate’s appeal…outlining the urgency for Jamaica’s preparedness against the Ebola virus, it resonated with me,” said Vincent HoSang, Chairman of the VHFF.

The donation will cover the cost of one of five thermal scanning machines needed.  

“The Jamaica Ebola Prevention Programme calls for the urgent procurement of several items, including five state-of-the-art thermal scanning machines,” Jamaica’s Consul General, Herman LaMont said.

 “The Consulate is extremely appreciative and thankful that the VHFF has responded to the call for assistance,” he added.

LaMont said he is particularly thrilled that the Diaspora can join forces with corporate Jamaica to fight the threat of the deadly Ebola virus.  

The donation is the third of its kind, as two similar thermal scanning machines are earmarked for the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and the Falmouth Cruise Ship Complex in Trelawny, donated by Jamaica-based Sagicor Insurance Group and Supreme Ventures, respectively.

The VHFF is Jamaican-owned and is an affiliate of food company Caribbean Food Delights.