ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) — Scores of expectant mothers, who attend the Type V Health Centre in Montego Bay, St James, will receive a weekly supply of fresh cow’s milk from Island Dairies Limited.

They are the beneficiaries of a programme aimed at enhancing the health of pregnant women and that of their unborn babies.

It is being undertaken by the Jamaica Dairy Development Board (JDDB), an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, in collaboration with milk producers.

Under the project, expectant mothers from select antenatal clinics will receive three litres of milk per week for three months contributed by Seprod Group/Serge Island Dairies, Jamaica Beverages, Edwards Dairy, and Island Dairies Limited.  

Similar donations will be made at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, and Cambridge Health Centre in St James.

Deputy Director of the JDDB and Project Coordinator, Byron Lawrence, in his remarks at the handover of the first supply of milk at the Type V Health Centre on Friday, said the project is part of Government’s thrust to increase milk production in Jamaica and revitalise the dairy industry.

He said it is also aimed at increasing demand for the commodity through heightened awareness of its nutritional value.

“Consequently, the board is partnering with some milk producers to conduct a campaign to sensitise the consuming public and in particular, expectant and lactating mothers, as to the value of consuming milk,” he pointed out.

Representative of Island Dairies, Livingston Binns, said his company is happy to be partnering with the JDDB on the project, which is seeking to protect the health of pregnant women and their unborn babies, and boost milk sales.

The project, which was launched on World Milk Day, June 1, is expected to be introduced at Victoria Jubilee, Kingston, Linstead Hospital in St Catherine, May Pen General Hospital, Clarendon, the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland, and the Oracabessa Antenatal Clinic in St Mary.