THE Preemie Foundation of Jamaica has strengthened neonatal care at the Mandeville Regional Hospital with the donation of an incubator valued at $1.7 million to its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The donation reinforces the foundation’s commitment to improving outcomes for premature and critically ill newborns across Jamaica.

The equipment was officially handed over during the foundation’s annual Sip-N-Paint for Preemies fund-raiser, held recently at Toyota Jamaica.

The event brought together corporate partners, health-care stakeholders, supporters, and members of the wider community for an evening dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the urgent needs of premature babies, their families, and the neonatal units that support them.

The incubator, procured through funding provided by the Women’s Club Foundation, will support the Mandeville Regional Hospital’s capacity to deliver critical care to newborns who require specialised temperature-controlled environments during the earliest and most vulnerable stages of life.

Dr Tabitha Miller, paediatrician at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, accepted the donation on behalf of its neonatal care team and welcomed the timely support.

“This incubator represents a meaningful enhancement to our capacity to care for premature and critically ill newborns. Every additional piece of equipment strengthens our ability to provide lifesaving support, and we are deeply grateful to the Preemie Foundation of Jamaica, the Women’s Club Foundation, and all partners involved in making this donation possible,” Dr Miller said.

Founder of the Preemie Foundation of Jamaica Serika Sterling, said the donation underscores the importance of sustained collaboration in addressing the needs of neonatal care units across the island.

“As both founder of the Preemie Foundation of Jamaica and a mother to a preemie, this mission is deeply personal to me. I have seen how fragile those earliest moments are and how powerful timely support can be. It is through strong and sustained partnerships with our corporate, philanthropic, and health-care partners that we can continue improving outcomes for Jamaica’s smallest fighters,” said Sterling.

She added that the annual fund-raiser continues to serve a dual purpose, creating a space for community engagement while mobilising practical support for neonatal care.

Proceeds from this year’s Sip-N-Paint for Preemies will be used to purchase essential medical supplies for the NICU at the University Hospital of the West Indies, extending the impact of the initiative beyond the equipment donation to Mandeville Regional Hospital.

Sterling also expressed appreciation to the foundation’s corporate sponsors, including Toyota Jamaica, Senior Accounting Services Limited, CML Group, and CPJ, whose support helped make the fund-raiser possible.

She said the foundation will continue to deepen partnerships with hospitals, corporate entities, philanthropic organisations, and individuals as it works to expand access to critical equipment, medical supplies, education, and family support for premature babies across Jamaica.