MONTEGO BAY, St James — The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation (SFJ) last Friday handed over a neuromuscular electrical stimulator to the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, St James.

Donation of the equipment, which is valued at over $356,000, was made in partnership with the Montego Bay Freezone, which adopted the hospital’s Physiotherapy Department as part of its 30th anniversary outreach project this year.

“We are continuing with this project through our partnership with the Spanish-Jamaican Foundation, which has donated this important piece of equipment,” said assistant vice-president of the Montego Bay Freezone, Gloria Henry.

“We also have acquired some office equipment that we will be bringing to the Physiotherapy Department as well,” she said.

General Manager of the SJF, Karen Donaldson, commended the freezone on its community outreach.

“We are very aware of the many constraints faced by the health sector and we are extremely pleased to be playing our part as the Cornwall Regional Hospital works towards establishing itself as a world-class health service provider,” she said.

A neuromuscular electrical stimulator is used extensively with orthopedic patients, who comprise the majority of persons needing physiotherapy and most of whom have to be treated for nerve damage that causes weakness of the muscles.

As a result of last Friday’s donation, the hospital now has two neuromuscular electrical stimulators to serve between 60 and 70 outpatients daily, as well as in-patients.

Physiotherapy services manager at the hospital, Denise Forsythe, in expressing delight, said “we are very grateful for this machine. It will go a far way in helping all our patients, especially orthopedic patients”.

The SJF is a non-profit organisation aimed at deepening the friendship between the people of Spain and Jamaica through sustainable participation in educational, cultural, environmental and health-based initiatives that contribute to community development.