Canadian Organization Donates Medical Supplies to Jamaica

A Canadian organization ‘Not Just Tourists’, has donated medical supplies valued at CDN$125,000 to the Jamaican Hurricane Relief effort.
Drs. Ken and Denise Taylor, medical doctors and founders of ‘Not Just Tourists’, recently donated 56 boxes and 16 suitcases of assorted medicine and medical supplies to the Jamaican Consulate General in Toronto.
Norman Kreger of Handitravel Management Consulting Services made the presentation on behalf of ‘Not Just Tourists’, to Jamaica’s Consul General to Toronto, Vivia Betton. Expressing appreciation on behalf of the government and people of Jamaica, Miss Betton said the donated goods would be put to good use in Jamaica.
“We thank the Taylors for thinking of Jamaica at this time and we thank Mr. Kreger for facilitating this donation,” added the Consul General.
‘Not Just Tourists’ was established 10 years ago after the Taylors visited Cuba and decided that they wanted to help the residents by donating to that country’s health sector. They came up with the unique idea of getting surplus medicine and medical supplies from pharmaceutical representatives, pharmacies, physicians’ offices, hospitals and homecare professionals, and then filling suitcases with these supplies.
On return visits to Cuba, the Taylors delivered the suitcases to health clinics, health centres and hospitals. Over the years, they have also recruited other visitors, medical missionaries and business people travelling to Cuba and other developing countries to act as couriers, incorporating the medical items as part of their luggage.
Mr. Kreger explained that the 16 donated suitcases of medical supplies were all packed with the same items so that no sorting is necessary and they can then be delivered intact to 16 health clinics/centres in Jamaica. Among the items are antibiotics, gastric and anti-inflammatory medications, analgesics, asthma inhalers, examination gloves, syringes, bandages and sutures.