BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth — As Black River Hospital prepares to reopen its wards in the coming weeks the facility’s resources have been improved following a donation of $60 million worth of equipment by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The donated supplies include neonatal and maternal equipment which were handed over to the hospital last Friday.

Director at the Southern Regional Health (SRHA) Authority Michael Bent, in expressing gratitude for the donation, said health-care workers will now have more tools to work effectively in patient care.

“For our mothers and babies, it means improved capacity to provide care when they are most needed and for the people of St Elizabeth it means a stronger Black River Hospital.

We are especially grateful for the support [and]…pay special tribute to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which has over the years donated millions of dollars to the Southern Regional Health Authority,” said Bent, in reference to previous donations by the church to the Mandeville Regional and May Pen hospitals.

Some of the equipment and supplies donated to the Black River Hospital by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He said the $60-million donation represents a tremendous investment of essential equipment.

“The donation includes approximately $7.85 million for neonatal equipment and supplies like incubators, infant warmers, infant resuscitation equipment, paediatric blankets and bassinets and these are critical for the next generation,” he said.

“The other hospital equipment donated include patient monitors, transport ventilators, warming systems, pharmacy refrigerators, stretchers, hospital beds, ECG machines and other essential equipment,” added Bent.

The Hurricane Melissaravaged Black River Hospital is expected to reopen its wards by the end of this month, a year after it was battered by Hurricane Melissa.

“As we continue the process of recovery we remain focused not only on restoring what has been damaged, but on strengthening our facilities, so that they can provide quality service to the communities that we serve,” added Bent.

Mission president at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Royce Britton commended healthcare workers for being resilient and dedicated to patient care.

“I have a great appreciation for the work that you, the doctors, nurses and hospital staff do.

I know, given a lot of time it doesn’t pay well, most of you would agree that you need more pay, but you do this because of the love that you have for the people,” said Britton.