Mandeville, Manchester — Like-minded citizens in Mandeville, including some returning residents who made the parish their home, started the voluntary group Friends of the Mandeville Regional Hospital 35 years ago.

Today, the organisation still boasts an active membership committed to staying true to the original mission.

According to President Josephine “Brenda” Johnson, from inception each person who joined the group understood that the efforts are for “our hospital”, the Mandeville Regional Hospital.

“The hospital is our hospital. Everybody has family and friends. Some people cannot afford [private medical care],” she said.

Johnson was speaking to the Jamaica Observer Central following a recent donation of 125 chairs valued at $480,500 to be distributed across the wards at the Mandeville Regional Hospital to facilitate visitors.

She said that she has been a member of the group for more than six years, actively engaging in the various activities and fund-raisers.

The Friends of the Mandeville Regional Hospital is a registered charity and is among the many donor groups supplementing the provisions made by the Government to meet the needs of public health care for over 600,000 people in Manchester and the wider south/central region, including Clarendon, St Elizabeth and southern Trelawny.

“There is no secret that for many years the public health sector in Jamaica has been underfunded. I do not see in the near future that this will be adequately funded by the Government of Jamaica. Hence, we must find ways to mobilise resources from partners like the Friends of the Mandeville Regional Hospital. That is why I must salute you for your contribution …,” regional director for the Southern Regional Health Authority and guest speaker Michael Bent said at the handover ceremony.

Chief executive officer of the Mandeville Regional Hospital, Alwyn Miller, also expressed gratitude.

“Friends of 35 years is very significant. The fact that after 35 years they are still friends and still helping us is something that we are indeed grateful for”, he said.

— Alicia Sutherland