KINGSTON, Jamaica — Executive Director of the National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation (NHEF), Courtney Cephas, is encouraging members of the Jamaican Diaspora to channel all donations to the public health sector through the entity to ensure efficiency and accountability.

He made the appeal while addressing a virtual forum hosted by Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami, Oliver Mair, on April 8.

Cephas explained that the Foundation is the agency of the Ministry of Health and Wellness responsible for mobilising and managing philanthropic support for the sector.

He urged potential donors to make direct contact with the organisation, noting that this would allow contributions to be processed smoothly and directed to their intended beneficiaries without delays.

Reflecting on past disaster response efforts, Cephas pointed to the foundation’s critical role following Hurricane Melissa last October.

He explained that the entity coordinated a significant portion of incoming aid, including medical missions, field hospitals and other donations, ensuring that supplies were cleared and distributed efficiently across the island.

The executive director also lauded the consul general and members of the diaspora in the Southern United States (US) for their strong support under the Adopt-a-Clinic Programme. He disclosed that 17 of Jamaica’s 59 adopted health centres have benefited from contributions from that region, including six facilities supported directly through the consul general’s initiatives.

He further highlighted that these six health centres have received commitments totalling approximately $18 million, while an additional 11 facilities, supported by other diaspora groups, account for another $30 million. Combined, the Diaspora South has contributed roughly $40 million towards improving primary healthcare facilities across Jamaica.

Cephas outlined that the funds have been used to procure critical clinical equipment such as blood pressure machines, scales and autoclaves, as well as to upgrade infrastructure with air-conditioning units, storage facilities and improved patient seating areas.

He reported that Hurricane Melissa caused an estimated US$8.8 billion in damage, representing 41 per cent of Jamaica’s gross domestic product, with the western parishes among the hardest hit. He said 65 of 101 health centres assessed sustained major to severe damage and efforts are now under way to rebuild them to more resilient standards.

Cephas also pointed to new opportunities for diaspora engagement, including special adoption initiatives for heavily damaged facilities, maternal and early-childhood health programmes, and planned tele-mental health services.

—    JIS