MONTEGO BAY, St James — With only three of 22 clinics up for adoption in St James receiving support from benefactors, acting chief technical officer at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Dr Marcia Johnson-Campbell, is hoping more individuals and organisations will participate in the ongoing Adopt-a-Clinic initiative.

“This is something that was started a couple years ago where the Ministry of Health earmarked 100 health centres across the island for support from local and international individuals, groups and corporate entities with the aim of strengthening our primary care facilities,” she told a gathering ideally suited to providing support.

She was speaking during last Saturday night’s installation ceremony for the new president of the Rotary Club of Montego Bay, Franz Wiggan.

“I want to urge persons to join in the programme and support it,” said Johnson-Campbell.

The health centres at Mount Carey, Green Pond and Adelphi are the ones adopted so far. The medical practitioner said there is recognition that the Government cannot do it alone, hence the appeal for help from individuals and organisations in the wider society. She explained how the initiative works.

“A particular amount is committed by the organisation that wants to adopt the clinic and this is used in terms of improving infrastructure. It may be fencing of the facility, it may be renovation, working on the roof, doing beautification, interacting with the staff to provide motivation and staff welfare needs and just really ensuring that this health centre optimally provides service,” she said.

The Adopt-a-Clinic project was launched five years ago and up to May 2022 had raised more than $150 million for primary healthcare facilities across the country, with over 35 adoptions being completed.

In addressing the Rotarians, Johnson-Campbell also urged individuals and groups to provide support for hospital wards. She cited Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James as a facility that has received support in this area but still needs help.

“There are several other wards outside of paediatric that would need support. So persons could take on an accident and emergency department or they could take on the opthalmology department or ENT department or basically any of the areas that persons want to contribute,” she said.