SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — The senior medical officer for the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital Dr Suman Vemu has welcomed a timely donation of newborn supplies, noting that they will provide critical support during what he refers to as the hospital’s annual “crop season”.

“Savanna-la-Mar Hospital is a busy hospital so, on average, we have 2,500 deliveries per year. And we always call it a crop season, close to December, where we always see a high number of deliveries,” Vemu said.

“The situation is dynamic so, despite our efforts, we have always faced a challenge at any given time,” he said, adding, “So, I really appreciate these donations as a backup for us to respond in the best possible way.”

Vemu was speaking at a handover ceremony for nearly 200 receiving blankets — essential items for newborns, particularly in emergencies in which families may arrive unprepared. The donation, valued at more than US$300, was provided by US-based foundation Support Your Girlfriends, and handed over at the hospital last Friday.

While expressing deep gratitude the senior medical officer did not shy away from highlighting the facility’s broader needs within the Ministry of Health’s maternal health framework. He identified CT scan machines, compression instruments, and cardiac monitors as top priorities.

“These are all part of maternal health so I expect your organisation to continue with these donations,” stated Vemu to an outburst of laughter from those in attendance.

Meanwhile, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Roan Grant emphasised the importance of replenishing the maternity ward’s stock, describing the foundation’s initiative as a benevolent act that directly addresses a critical need observed in the hospital.

The donation was coordinated by Vanessa Moore — daughter of former Savanna-la-Mar Mayor Bertel Moore. Moore shared that the initiative was inspired by a personal experience after she witnessed a friend’s newborn being wrapped in a towel due to the lack of blankets at the hospital.

In response, she mobilised her network — known as the Glossy Posse — to take action.

Established in 2017 under CEO Dr Nakia McLean, the Support Your Girlfriends Foundation focuses on culture, commerce, and community, and is now committed to ongoing support for mothers in Westmoreland.

​When asked by the Jamaica Observer about Dr Vemu’s request for specialised medical equipment, Moore noted that such an expansion would require team deliberation.

“It’s great to know the needs of the hospital. It’s something that we can take back to our team to see how we want to further develop our relationship and our partnership with the hospital. As I mentioned, being able to provide the receiving blankets is something that we want to continue. How we expand on that to get certain items brought to the hospital is something that we will have to go back to the table and figure out,” explained Moore, who is also hoping for a chapter to be established in Jamaica.

The contribution was also welcomed by the parish manager for Westmoreland Public Health Services, Novlin Leslie Little, and Deputy Director of Nursing Services Petune Leslie Blair. Both highlighted the critical role of women supporting women, especially during Women’s History Month, and the practical impact of such donations on mothers who sometimes arrive at the hospital unprepared for childbirth.

“Some of our mothers do come in, at times, as emergencies and do not have the necessary things that they need to receive a baby into the world so this is really an appreciated act from you guys. We really thank you from the bottom of our hearts for these gifts. It will be well appreciated, I’m sure, by the mothers and also by the nurses who work in the department who sometimes have to make different types of things go through for these babies when they come into the world. We really appreciate this act and hope that it will be appreciated also by the persons who are accepting them,” said an appreciative Leslie Blair.