KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) has received three pulse oximeters equipped with neonatal probes, along with a reclining chair for the NICU Parents’ Room, through a donation from the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston.

The pulse oximeters will support the NICU team in monitoring oxygen saturation and heart rates in newborns receiving specialised care. The reclining chair will provide added comfort for parents spending extended periods at the hospital while their babies undergo treatment.

Dr Jillian Lewis, consultant neonatologist, welcomed the donation, noting the importance of both the medical equipment and the support for families.

“Caring for our newborns requires close and continuous monitoring, and equipment such as these pulse oximeters supports our team in providing that care. The NICU journey can also be incredibly difficult for parents, who may spend long periods at the hospital while their babies receive treatment. Having a reclining chair in the Parents’ Room gives families a more comfortable space while allowing them to remain close to their babies,” Dr Lewis said in a news release.

The items were formally handed over by club members, led by President Veronica Taylor Smellie.

“For us, this is about making a tangible difference where it is needed. The pulse oximeters will assist the medical team in caring for some of the hospital’s smallest and most vulnerable patients, and we also wanted to consider the parents who spend long hours here with their babies. We are pleased to be able to contribute to the work of the NICU,” Taylor Smellie said.