New York , USA — Patients at the Manchester Infirmary in Mandeville are to receive assistance from New York-based charity organisation, the Ex-Correctional Officers Association of Jamaica Inc.

President of that body, Ronnie Hammick told the Jamaica Observer in an interview here that his organisation had already reached out to the Manchester Municipal Corporation which has administrative responsibility for the infirmary and the promised assistance would get there by year end.

Hammick said that the assistance, which would include items of food, clothing, medical equipment, adult pampers and the like, “forms part of a programme the organisation is undertaking to provide some relief for people who are confined to these medical facilities”.

Three other infirmaries in St Catherine, St Mary and Portland have been assisted under the programme, which the non-profit Ex-Correctional Officers Association of Jamaica Inc started five years ago.

In addition to the infirmary project, Hammick said talks are currently taking place between his organisation and the Spanish Town, St Catherine-based Jamaica Retired Correctional Officers Association which will see both bodies jointly offering scholarships to students attending high schools, colleges and/or universities.

He said that the programme is planned to be launched next year.