MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Maternity patients at the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) in Manchester are to benefit from a donation of medical necessities from the Manya Medical Clinic in the parish.

The contribution was made on Friday and includes vaginal speculums — a device that allows physicians to better view a woman’s cervix and vagina during pelvic exam — and disposables such as maternity pads.

CEO at the facility, Alwyn Miller expressed gratitude to Manya Medical for assisting the hospital with its inventory.

“We certainly appreciate the donation from Manya Medical which will help our institution,” he told OBSERVER ONLINE.

“As a public hospital, we have patients that will come in from time to time and [they] may not have all the resources they need for their care, separate and apart from what we (the hospital) provide, so these items are much appreciated.”

He noted that the donation is a gift to patients that will make their stay at the hospital more pleasant.

“We appreciate any gift that will help us in terms of the provision of service and that will make our operations more efficient or as efficient as possible…that will make the experience of our clients an enjoyable one,” he said.

CEO of Manya Medical, Dr Shamir Manya, shared that the donation was borne out of a need to “be more supportive of pregnant women during pregnancy and delivery—to make it easier, more comfortable and safer for them.”

He said his organisation has employed a philanthropic attitude and that he is seeking to continuously contribute to Manchester and by extension Jamaica.

“We are currently consulting with the pediatric ward to find out what their needs are. We also intend to visit various homes for disenfranchised or poor populations in Manchester and see how we can give our time, services, or financial donations.”

There is also interest in hosting free health fairs, aimed at raising awareness of chronic illnesses, sexually transmitted diseases and infections and to “make care available to those in need”, Manya said.

He is calling on other privately owned and operated companies to consult with public medical facilities and assist in any way possible, to improve the health and wellbeing of Jamaicans.