May Pen, Clarendon — The health care capacity in the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) facilities will be boosted through the commitment of J$9.6 million from bauxite/alumina company Jamalco.

According to a news release from the SRHA, the first of two disbursements valued at $4.8 million was handed over recently at the Jamalco office in Clarendon.

The first tranche will purchase 10 wheelchairs, 30 automatic hand soap dispensers, 30 hand sanitizers, 25 foot-operated faucets, 10 hand dryers, a hand drill, and an orthopaedic saw. The second tranche of funds will purchase stretchers and beds.

According to regional director of the SRHA, Michael Bent, the region has been focused on improving its services and offerings in several areas, such as quality assurance, which the donation will help to improve.

“The southern region will be commencing orthopaedic services at the May Pen Hospital shortly, and the donation which will purchase some orthopedic items have come at an opportune time. This will certainly boost our capacity to deliver efficient and effective services, and we are most grateful to Jamalco. As a region, we support public-private partnerships and we thank Jamalco for their support and look forward to continued partnerships,” Bent said.

The Southern Regional Health Authority and Jamalco has enjoyed a longstanding relation, which Corporate Services Manager Donna-Marie Brooks-Gordon noted extends beyond Clarendon, as the company has given support to other facilities within the region which covers Clarendon, Manchester and St Elizabeth.

“This donation will not solve the problems in the region, but it is a start and we want to help to assist with the challenges. Jamalco takes its social responsibility seriously and we are committed to helping with the social renewal of communities,” Brooks-Gordon said.