Two Clarendon Hospitals Get $12 Million In Supplies From Custos

Custos of Clarendon, Hon. William Shagoury, has donated medical supplies and equipment valued at some $12 million to the May Pen and Lionel Town hospitals.

The donation, which is in support of the coronavirus (COVID-19) response, includes 800 N95 masks, hospital gowns, adult scale, oxymeters, blood pressure monitors, dental shields, temperature machines, three defibrillators, 40 gallons of paint, among other items.

Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, in his remarks at the handover ceremony held recently at the May Pen Hospital, thanked the Custos for his continued support to healthcare and other sectors of the parish.

“Custos Shagoury is always making a donation, whether it’s for agriculture, for dengue or COVID, so much so he is known as ‘Mr. Clarendon’. When the history of this parish is written, you have a place in it and we thank you for your commitment,” Dr. Tufton said.

He said that the items donated will help to “save lives” and called for increased partnerships in healthcare.

“While doctors and nurses are trained for this, if they don’t have the supporting cast, such as those who give, we cannot do anything. Public health needs partnerships. Too many of us depend on the system to rescue us and, thereafter, we don’t care what happens to the system,” he pointed out.

He stressed that “all Jamaicans would, at some time in their lives, require the system to help us and we should be our brother’s keeper, as one day someone would have to be ours”.

Meanwhile, Senior Medical Officer at the May Pen Hospital, Dr. Bradley Edwards, expressed gratitude for the donation on behalf of both facilities.

He said that the health services hold the key to the stability of the parish and, therefore, have to be maintained at the highest standard.

“Having a Custos who understands this is key because hospitals are considered a safe zone and, therefore, must be maintained as such,” Dr. Edwards said.