KINGSTON, Jamaica — The More Than This Concert initiative delivered a major boost to paediatric eye care in Jamaica on Wednesday with the handover of a phacoemulsification machine, valued at $17 million to the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

Funded from the net proceeds of the CeCe Winans’ More Than This Concert held on Emancipation Day, August 1, the machine will significantly improve the hospital’s ability to treat childhood cataracts, one of the leading causes of preventable blindness among Jamaican children.

Children born with cataracts, or who develop them due to trauma, must receive early intervention, as delays can cause permanent loss of vision.

The brain develops its ability to see during childhood, meaning late surgery cannot restore eyesight. The hospital treats more than 20 paediatric cataract cases each year, making this equipment a critical addition to Jamaica’s only specialist children’s hospital.

Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr Kristin Cowan-Lyn welcomed the donation stating, “We are truly grateful for this donation. This machine is essential for timely cataract surgery in children, preventing avoidable and often permanent blindness. Because a child’s brain is still learning to see, early intervention is critical for proper visual development. This equipment will allow us to preserve the sight of the children we see and transform their futures.”

The donation formed part of the wider distribution of the concert’s net proceeds which were allocated to: Bustamante Hospital for Children (Ophthalmology Unit) – $17 million; the Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence – $3 million; Students Christian Fellowship and Scripture Union – $3 million; Open Door Jamaica Foundation – $2 million; Yadel Home for Children – $2 million; and Food For The Poor Jamaica – $1 million provided as a special emergency allotment in response to Hurricane Melissa.

Chairman of the Come Alive Collective Eric Hosin expressed gratitude to the thousands who made the impact possible.

“The More Than This Concert was an extraordinary gathering, but its true greatness lies in what we are witnessing today. More than 15,000 people attended the concert on Emancipation Day, and because of their support, we are seeing real change today. We are grateful to every patron and partner who came to contribute to this mission,” said Hosin.

Held at King’s House, the More Than This Concert featured CeCe Winans alongside several of Jamaica’s top gospel artistes and stands as one of the most significant faith-based events of the year.

The handover to Bustamante Hospital and other charities marks the completion of the concert’s charitable commitments and reinforces the initiative’s aim to support national development and uplift Jamaica’s most vulnerable communities.