Hospitals to receive mobile blood pressure machines
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Mobile blood pressure machines and arm cuffs of assorted sizes were on Monday handed over by the Rotary Club of St Andrew North to the Ministry of Health and Wellness for distribution to 15 hospitals.
Thirty-six wheeled internal mobile blood pressure machines and 159 cuffs of assorted sizes for infants and children were also included in the donation, which valued US$40,000.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn noted that inadequate supplies of mobile blood pressure monitors and children arm cuffs have impacted some rural hospitals in how they are able to respond effectively with treatment. Of the 15 hospitals that are set to received the new equipment, 13 are from rural areas.
“Today’s handover ceremony marks a step in the right direction, as the ministry, through this generous gift, seeks to improve and advance the quality of healthcare across Jamaica, especially to our child and adolescent population,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, the paediatric nephrology centres at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) and at Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) will receive a 24-hour continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitor for children, according to Former President of the Rotary Club of St Andrew North, Henleith Annmarie Curtis.
Founder of the Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation — which collaborated with the Rotary Club on the project — Dr Maolynne Miller said the donation will limit patient transfers and enhance the treatment of infants and children in the nation’s hospitals.
Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation, Rotary Foundation, the Rotary Clubs of Smyrna, Grand Cayman and St Andrew North and Transocean Shipping, along with proceeds from a virtual run hosted by the club collaborated to fund the project.