THE Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) has made a donation of $1 million to the Ministry of Health and Wellness towards the country’s efforts to fight COVID-19.

At the ministry’s New Kingston headquarters on Tuesday, Minister Christopher Tufton, who received the donation, which will be used to provide nutritional support for those on the front line, thanked the CBA and commended the association for its goodwill.

“The Ministry of Health and Wellness is grateful for the continued support and partnership with the Chinese Benevolent Association,” he said, while pointing out that COVID-19 is one of the greatest challenges that the world has faced in recent times.

“One of the key strategies to facing this challenge is through partnership. Partnership with various stakeholders, including CBA, will make a significant difference in achieving the best health outcome for the people of Jamaica. We thank the CBA for supporting the efforts as we continue our response to COVID-19,” he added.

Executive director of the ministry’s Health for Life and Wellness Foundation Courtney Cephas said the donation is timely as it comes at a point when the foundation is seeking to address the challenge of resource demands for the provision of meals and transportation for many of the 24/7 front-line health workers across the country who are the cornerstones of the COVID-19 fight. He said that upon initial contact, the offer from the CBA was half the amount. However, after a discussion on how integral the funds would be in supporting the needs of critical front line health workers who are most at risk, the offer was increased to $1 million.

The executive director said it strengthened his resolve that the country would be able to fight the deadly disease with the continued support of organisations such as the CBA.

“I had a deep feeling that an awakening is sweeping the country, and that holds the key not only to defeat the COVID-19 challenge upon us but to address many of our long-standing challenges,” he said.

He said a number of private sector entities have been “proactively and quietly giving a tremendous level of philanthropic support in various ways in a fight that they truly see as their own”.

“This support from the CBA is another remarkable testament of this in the absence of a vaccine or cure. The collective actions of every sector of society is the greatest chance for our nation’s success,” Cephas said.