TRELAWNY, Jamaica – The Falmouth Public General Hospital is poised to acquire a cardiotocographic (CTG) machine and a bear hugger, to be funded from a contribution of $1,863,000 made by the Jamaica Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (JAIFA) on Wednesday afternoon.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony at the hospital, Chief Executive Officer of Falmouth Public General Hospital, Princess Wedderburn expressed appreciation to JAIFA as she gave an assurance that the equipment that will be purchased, will improve patient care at the medical facility.

“The equipment will assist with the improvement, as well as the quality of care that we extend to our patients, to the western region and ultimately, Jamaicans. I know the money we will be getting will be used wisely,” Wedderburn said.

Director of nursing services at the Falmouth Public General Hospital, Pauline Dawkins Palmer, who also thanked JAIFA, also stated that the acquisition of the warming device and CTG machine will improve patient care.

“The CTG machine is going to play a very major role during monitoring and management of a mother and a foetus,” adding that the bear hugger keeps the patients at a normal body temperature.

Custos of Trelawny, Hugh Gentles; Mayor of Falmouth Councillor C Junior Gager; Senior Medical Officer at Falmouth Public General Hospital, Dr Leighton Perrins; Carrington McLennon, acting parish manager at the hospital; Loren Winstanley, special projects manager, WRHA and Sheona Muschett, head of Friends of the Falmouth Hospital, all thanked JAIFA.

According to Triola Harper Smith, president of JAIFA, $1.5 million of the contribution was raised through proceeds from the latest Patrick Brown comedy, Guilty with Explanation, starring Oliver Samuels, staged by JAIFA at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in June.

The additional amount was raised from JAIFA’S National Fundraising director Dionne Lyon’s efforts through benefit plays, among others, held in Kingston.

She thanked all players who contributed to the organisation of the play.

“Your efforts gave us a historic $1.5million net. Big up all who contributed in every way possible to help advertise, sell tickets, donate you name it. We truly appreciated it. Because of the overwhelming support from the Western Play- JAIFA as an association is today making a historic contribution to the Falmouth Hospital,” Harper Smith said.

Established in 1932, JAIFA, formerly the Life Underwriters Association of Jamaica (LUAJ), is one of the oldest membership organisations in Jamaica. It is a non-profit entity that represents the sales force of the life insurance industry.

– Horace Hines