KINGSTON, Jamaica -Students of the Abilities Foundation in Kingston are set to benefit from a state-of-the-art sickbay, courtesy of the Kiwanis Club of Constant Spring (KCCS).

The sickbay, housed in a retrofitted 20-foot container, will serve as a critical facility for the students, providing them with much-needed healthcare support.

It was officially opened during a ceremony at the school in Kingston on Friday.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr., underscored the importance of partnership for building a better Jamaica.

“If you want to go far, work together. It is a true adage and something which is represented here in this partnership,” he pointed out.

Charles Jr commended the KCCS for its work with the Abilities Foundation, noting that their collaboration has been ongoing for more than two decades.

“When you see a partnership last that long, it means that the parties in the partnership are not just dedicated but they have goals and that there is a mutual benefit. This is something which we want to continue. This is something that we have to celebrate,” he said.

The minister noted that the Kiwanis Club has been a long-standing beacon of excellence and service and has been instrumental in many acts of kindness that have contributed to Jamaica’s development.

He urged other stakeholders in Corporate Jamaica to get onboard with the Kiwanis Club and do their part to build a better nation.

Meanwhile, KCCS President, Sheron Gilzeane, advised that the sickbay was the club’s flagship project for 2024-25.

She said the space will provide a much-needed area for students who are unwell, to rest and recover.

“The project involved retrofitting a 20-foot container, which was already located on the property, into a fully functioning sickroom. This involved insulation and panelling of the interior, proper flooring to ensure cleanliness and safety, modification of the entrance to include windows and building a ramp for accessibility,” the president detailed.

With the physical infrastructure completed, Gilzeane said the club will be embarking on phase two of the project which will involve sourcing medical equipment, such as oxygen tanks, medical beds and over-the-counter medication, recruiting a full-time nurse and securing the services of a doctor on call.

The Abilities Foundation, which is an entity under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, provides specialised vocational education and training for young adults with disabilities.

–          JIS