Red Cross Donates $42 Million in Medical Equipment to WRHA

Medical equipment and supplies valued at more than $42 million have been donated to the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) to strengthen healthcare delivery and support recovery efforts following the impact of Hurricane Melissa.

The donation was formally handed over by the Jamaica Red Cross in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross on Wednesday (March 4) at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall in Montego Bay, St. James.

The items include emergency airway management kits, suction catheters, triage tools and emergency room and triage kit components, among other things.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon. Krystal Lee, said the donation represents a significant contribution to Jamaica’s ongoing efforts to restore and strengthen the public health system in communities affected by the hurricane.

She pointed out that the support comes at a critical time as the Government continues efforts to rebuild and enhance healthcare services in the affected areas.

The State Minister expressed appreciation to the Jamaica Red Cross and its international partners for the continuous and unwavering support to the public health system and the nation’s overall humanitarian response, through a network of over 350 volunteers, members and staff island-wide.

Acting Regional Director of the WRHA, Deveta McLaren, in her remarks, said that the donation is timely, well-needed, and will strengthen the health region’s ability to provide essential healthcare services.

She noted that the items will be strategically distributed among hospitals and health centres across the region where the need is greatest.

For her part, Director General of the Jamaica Red Cross, Yvonne Clarke, said that the items provided are aimed at enhancing the region’s emergency medical response capacity.

“These supplies will strengthen emergency room operations, enhance infection prevention and control, support maternal and child health, improve trauma stabilisation and expand surge capacity,” she pointed out.

Head of Operations in Jamaica for the Canadian Red Cross, Chiran Livera, said that the donation highlights the strong partnership between the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Red Cross network.

He noted that the Canadian Red Cross worked closely with local partners to help ease the pressure on Jamaica’s healthcare system following the hurricane.

“What we were able to do in the last few months with the Ministry of Health is to reinforce and support 32 different clinics throughout Western Jamaica and support more than 1,000 individuals with emergency medical assistance,” he said.

“Today marks the formal handover of all the medical equipment that we brought into the country. Every single piece of medical equipment that came into the country is staying in Jamaica and is going into the Ministry of Health,” Mr. Livera said.