SCORES of people who were left in limbo because of the suspension of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica cardiac stress test service will now be able to complete their procedures following the donation of a stress echocardiogram machine to the entity by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund.

The Heart Foundation of Jamaica is the only independent, registered non-profit, non-governmental organisation that provides both basic and advanced screening for heart disease at a subsidised rate in Jamaica.

Deborah Chen, executive director at the Heart Foundation, described the machine, valued at just over US$33,000, as a well-needed one. She pointed out that the original machine used by the foundation was out of service for some eight to nine months.

“We were desperate when our last machine finally gave up the ghost. We service our equipment very diligently here and we kept it going, but every equipment we have in here, you may have seen the crowd downstairs, keeps working all day, every single day.

“So we were so distressed when our elderly machine gave up the ghost and we were so happy that CHASE could facilitate us. We had a long list of patients waiting on the delivery, so we really appreciate it,” Chen told guests after accepting the donation at a handing over ceremony held at the foundation’s Beechwood Avenue, St Andrew, headquarters on Wednesday.

The stress echocardiogram machine is designed to evaluate the cardiovascular system by identifying what the heart goes through at its most rigorous points. It records a person’s heart electrical activity (ECG), heart rate, and blood pressure while the speed and incline of their walk is gradually increased.

“Patients do the stress on the machine, and it does all the collaboration, and all the identification of any abnormalities, puts it in the form of a report which is taking from the stress to go and do an echocardiogram. Then the doctors are able to [do] an analysis to identify what steps they need to take,” said Karen Russell, medical equipment consultant at Alpha-Med Global Limited, one of the leading importer and distributor of innovative medical devices, equipment, furniture, and consumables in Jamaica.

In addition to the stress treadmill, the Heart Foundation also received a paediatric megacode valued at US$7,800, Holter monitors valued at US$14,000, haemoglobin meters valued at US$7,666, and two Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) valued at US$2,500.

CHASE Fund Project Manager Latoya Foster told the Jamaica Observer that the organisation is dedicated to fulfilling its mandate of providing equipment and other advancements for health-care facilities islandwide.

According to Foster, the needs of the Heart Foundation is a top priority for the CHASE Fund.

“The Heart Foundation provides useful services for Jamaicans, especially at their subsidised cost. It allows people easier access to affordability and so it is our desire to support them as they execute their mandate in providing the necessary health-care services for people across the country,” said Foster.

Meanwhile, Chen pointed to a survey, conducted by The University of the West Indies, the Ministry of Health, and other partners, which showed that there is an alarming increase in the risk factors for heart disease among Jamaicans.

“The [Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey], which has been conducted three times, showed us that everything is going into the wrong direction. High blood pressure was 20.9 per cent in 2001, it is now 33.8 per cent. Diabetes was 7.2 [per cent], it’s now at 10.2 [per cent]. [High] cholesterol was 14.6, and in the ensuing three times that they did it, it is now 24.6. Overweight moved from 45 to 53 per cent. So you can see that with all of these figures, it’s actually getting worse,” said Chen.

Pivoting to the passage of Hurricane Melissa one month ago, Chen said the unhealthy food pattern is now amplified and urged donors to be more mindful of the type of food they are providing to victims of the storm.

“We need to try and put stuff that is nutritious. It is not just filling a gap — even though hunger is hunger and one would agree that no matter what, one needs to eat something — we agree, but at least ensure what we are providing has a little nutrients,” added Chen.

— Bileane Williams

CHASE Fund Project Manager Latoya Foster (left), and executive director of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica Deborah Chen, examine one of the machines handed over to the foundation during a ceremony on Wednesday. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)