The Barita Foundation has partnered with Woman’s Touch, and their campaign #shematterstome, in donating $1 million towards improvements at Victoria Jubilee Maternity Clinic in downtown Kingston.

Inspired by the potential to make a strong impact in modernising the institution and improving the experience of its maternity patients, Barita joined forces with Dr Chris-Ann Simpson-Harley, noted gynaecologist and CEO of Woman’s Touch.

Simpson-Harley has dedicated her career to improving health care and feminine hygiene support for women at all levels of society, and has already made substantial progress in assisting pregnant teens and new moms.

The campaign’s mission aligns well with Barita Foundation’s dedicated efforts to supporting children and their future beginning from as early as childbirth, and the donation is the initial contribution towards refurbishing the admissions and antenatal rooms.

Dianne Clunie-Wallace, Barita’s assistant vice-president of marketing, says that the foundation is honoured to partner with Woman’s Touch in renovating the Victoria Jubilee Hosptal (VJH) admissions room.

“This will be one of many progressive steps taken by the maternity division towards the improvement of the overall maternity experience for women both young and old,” she said.

The Barita Foundation team, and Dr.Simpson-Harley, will continue to expand their support efforts of the facilities over the next 12 months.

Barita’s deputy chairman, Paul Simpson, noted that the Foundation was launched by Barita Investments Limited founder, Rita Humphries-Lewin, in October 2004. It continues to provide a stable and timeless moral compass for the organisation, which aligns Barita’s actions with its core values in a disciplined way.

“This allows us to drive meaningful and sustainable change throughout the communities we serve. We look forward to continuing our work with Woman’s Touch and the Victoria Jubilee to better align the hospital’s maternity care with the needs of mothers and their babies,” Simpson said.

The #shematterstome campaign aims to enhance the level of care and comfort provided to mothers at Victoria Jubilee Maternity Clinic, situated at Kingston Public Hospital (KPH).

Founded in 1891, Victoria Jubilee Hospital delivers approximately 8,000 babies annually, many of whom are birthed by single mothers from low-income communities with limited access to health care options.

The Barita Foundation’s mission is to help people through charitable giving in areas of community, education, health care, youth sports and non-profit projects. The foundation activities are centred around Barita’s dedication to the overall nation-building and corporate social responsibility.

Last year, Barita extended its support to numerous charities, including Missionaries of the Poor, Mustard Seed Communities, Diabetes Association of Jamaica, Harbour View Football Club, Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS), Summer Games, Jamaica Fire Brigade and Women’s Centre of Jamaica.