Partnership pays off

SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — In a major boost to the health-care sector in this parish following the devastation of last October’s Hurricane Melissa, the Issa Trust Foundation has donated $17 million worth of medical equipment and supplies to Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital.

Handed over during a ceremony at the hospital on Tuesday, the donation marks the renewal of a long-standing partnership between the hospital and the foundation, which is the charitable arm of Couples Resorts.

Foundation chairman Paul Issa explained that although recent efforts had been focused on the construction of the US$2.4-million Mary Issa Paediatric and Adolescent Health Centre in St Ann, the urgent needs in Westmoreland following the hurricane prompted renewed attention to the parish.

Discarding his prepared speech in favour of speaking from the heart, Issa emphasised that the massive delivery was a “group effort” made possible through a network of dedicated partners.

“Maybe each one of us individually couldn’t have done that by ourselves. As always, it’s a group effort and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to help,” he remarked.

The donation includes a wide array of life-saving technology such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, ventilators, monitoring and diagnostic machines, ECG machines, pulse oximeters, vital monitors, defibrillators and several suction machines.

The initiative was supported by Partners in World Health, which played a major role; Build Health International, organisers of the shipment; Airlink, which transported the equipment by air free of charge; and the Ministry of Health’s National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation (NHEF) Ltd.

Sav Hospital is a Type B facility serving the parish or Westmoreland, including the high-traffic tourist hub of Negril. The medical facility frequently handles trauma cases resulting from motorcycle accidents.

The hospital’s Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Dr Suman Vemu highlighted that the equipment is vital for providing timely medical care to patients. He recalled a 2018 donation of a C-arm that was a “game-changer” for the institution, allowing the hospital to handle complex orthopaedic poly-trauma cases without referring patients to other institutions.

Acting regional director for the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) Deveta McLaren explained that the hospital is currently undergoing a renovation of its Accident and Emergency (A&E) department which is expected to be completed by mid-June, at which point the new equipment will be “fully utilised”.

WRHA board chairman Eric Clarke took a moment to praise the spirit of the foundation’s donors — many of whom are visitors to the country.

“It is a totally amazing programme where people pay for their vacation to Jamaica and actually give something back, other than at the restaurants,” stated Clarke.

“To the guests that come to Jamaica not only to your hotel, but you give back directly to the health care in the community… I think that’s absolutely amazing,” he added.

In expressing profound gratitude to the Issa Foundation for the gift, chief executive officer (CEO) for the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital Roan Grant pointed out that following the Category 5 storm, staff were working with “less than what you call desirable equipment”.

“We deeply and gratefully, with a generous heart, accept these donations of medical supplies and equipment, which come at a most critical time and timely moment for our institution. Your support significantly strengthens our capacity to deliver quality healthcare and enhance our ability to serve our patients with greater efficiency and compassion,” stated Grant.

“This contribution is not only a gift of resources but also a meaningful investment in the well-being of the community we serve,” added the CEO.

Couples Resorts currently operates two hotels in Negril and Issa reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to the hospital that serves as the main health-care facility for the area.

“We want to continue in our little way to help — and we plan to,” he assured.

Board chairman for the Western Regional Health Authority Eric Clarke (back row, right) examines one of the machines donated to Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital by the Issa Trust Foundation during a ceremony held at the hospital on Tuesday. Looking on are the hospital’s Senior Medical Officer Dr Suman Vemu (front row, right); Acting Regional Director for the Western Regional Health Authority Deveta McLaren (front row, second left); President and CEO of the Issa Trust Foundation Diane Pollard (front row, left); and Issa Trust Foundation Chairman Paul Issa (partially hidden). (Photo: Anthony Lewis)