ST CATHERINE Jamaica (JIS) — The Linstead Hospital in St Catherine has received a donation of $600,000 from Trade Winds Citrus Limited, which the company raised from its last Tru-Juice “Run for Your Cause” 5K road race.

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, who welcomed the gesture, said healthcare should be treated as a community undertaking that is fully supported by the citizens and other stakeholders, adding that Trade Winds, which operates in and around the area, has demonstrated this.

“It is the perfect type of arrangement that we want, and we encourage it. I participated in the run, it was good for me, it was good for those who participated and, clearly, the patients will benefit,” he said.

The minister was speaking with JIS News at the hospital on Tuesday, following the presentation by Trade Winds.

The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Camille Wallen-Panton, said the funds will be used to purchase equipment, and encouraged Trade Winds, and other private sector stakeholders to maintain and forge partnerships with the institution, as this would redound to the long-term benefit of the wider Linstead community.

Senior Medical Officer, Dr Clive Thomas, said the donation will enable the hospital to further boost healthcare service delivery.

Meanwhile, Trade Winds Chief Executive Officer, Peter McConnell Jr, said the hospital has been benefitting from the 5K Run’s proceeds for the past three of the four years that the event has been staged, and assured that this gesture will continue.

“We are a business in the area, our employees need the hospital, the community needs the hospital, and (the donation to the hospital) is just the right thing to do,” he told JIS News.

The race, which is staged on the first Sunday in June, is organised by Running Events Limited.