Health sector gets equipment boost

Jamaica's public health system has received a major boost through the donation of critical medical equipment valued at $48.7 million.

The items, contributed by Jamaica-born philanthropist Carol Picart in collaboration with the National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation (NHEF), include diagnostic equipment and machines to provide life-saving support for sick and premature newborns. They will benefit the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James, and Black River Hospital in St Elizabeth. State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness where the NHEF falls, Krystal Lee, said that though the health sector has been transformed, there is still a far way to go.

"It is these collaborative efforts and partnerships that will help us to get to where we need to be faster and strengthen [the] programmes that we have," she said. She was speaking at the handover of two ventilators and an endoscopy unit comprising a gastroscope and a colonoscope, valued at $34.6 million, at the KPH. Cornwall Regional and Black River hospitals will each receive a ventilator and an incubator valued at $5,571,800 and $1,502,000, respectively.

Picart said she was motivated to give because of the urgent need for modern equipment in public hospitals and welcomed the opportunity to support her country.