SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — The services of the Savanna-la-Mar Health Centre have been boosted following the donation of almost 700 boxes of personal protective equipment (PPE) aimed at strengthening primary health-care delivery and supporting ongoing recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last October.

The donations, provided by the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and the Red Crescent Societies (RCS), in partnership with Jamaica Red Cross, will enhance the capacity of the health centre to better serve residents of Westmoreland.

“We know that unless we have these kinds of equipment, we can’t do the work we need to do safely, and that’s absolutely imperative. You’re looking at 690 boxes — 69,000 individual pieces of protective equipment. I think that’s quite a statement of support,” stated presidet of the IFRC and RCS Kate Forbes.

Forbes, who is the second woman to head the IFRC and also the first president to visit Jamaica, was addressing a handing over ceremony held at the Savanna-la-Mar Health Centre on Wednesday.

“I am very proud to represent 19 million volunteers. To see the impact that we have every day, especially in the most difficult situations, is beyond me. When you add to that that we’re able, out of our 191 national societies, to come together — the Canadians, the Japanese, the Germans — it’s working hand in hand with the local national society, the Jamaican Red Cross, [it] simply tells the world why we really are the largest humanitarian network in the world,” stated Forbes.

President of the Jamaica Red Cross Allasandra Chung revealed that the international arm has assisted with cleaning up of health centres in Darlington and Petersfield following a request from the health ministry for some mobile clinics.

“We had the mobile clinics come in, which is courtesy of the Canadian Red Cross partnering with German Red Cross and the Japanese Red Cross,” stated Chung.

“It is really, really, a really historic moment. We will continue to assist wherever we can. We want to also thank all of our volunteers because they have given so much. I know that a number of them were impacted by Melissa, but they nevertheless came out and they did what I call human work. I always say to volunteers that the work that you’re doing is priceless. We could not pay you to do that work,” she added.

Chung said the Red Cross partnership will continue.

“We’re also grateful for the partnership with the Ministry of Health. I think it has worked out well, and we will continue to collaborate on other initiatives with you,” she assured.

Medical Officer of Health, Westmoreland Public Health Services, Dr Marcia Graham was appreciative of the support provided by the Red Cross.

“You didn’t shy away from the dirty jobs — the clean-up. You were very integral in getting us to that very initial stage of the recovery period. You were there, and you continue to support us with the medical services, primarily from the Canadians, but I have also met persons from Germany who would have helped us in our facilities,” stated Dr Graham.

For her part, parish manager for Westmoreland Health Services, Novlin Leslie Little, underscored the importance of sustained partnerships in bolstering the public health system.

“These donations represent more than material support, they are a powerful demonstration of solidarity with our health workers and the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful for the continued partnership of the IFRC and the Jamaica Red Cross as we work to strengthen our health facilities and ensure uninterrupted care for our patients,” said Leslie Little.