CHASE Fund Donates $11M in Diagnostic Equipment to Heart Foundation of Jamaica

The Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund has handed over $11 million worth of critical diagnostic equipment to the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ), reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to strengthening Jamaica’s healthcare system.

The provision includes two Holter Monitors, used for continuous monitoring of heart activity over extended periods to improve detection of irregular heart rhythms; five Haemoglobin Machines, which provide rapid and accurate readings essential for diagnosing and monitoring cardiac-related and chronic conditions; and three Automated External Defibrillators, lifesaving devices critical in cardiac emergencies where immediate defibrillation can restore heart rhythm.

Also included are one Paediatric Mega Code Training System, an advanced simulation tool for training healthcare professionals in the management of paediatric cardiac emergencies, and three ECG machines, foundational diagnostic tools that detect early signs of heart disease and support comprehensive screening programmes.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the HFJ’s Beechwood Avenue offices in Kingston on Wednesday (November 26), Public Relations and Administrative Manager at the CHASE Fund, Hilary Coulton, underscored that heart health is central to Jamaica’s future.

Ms. Coulton highlighted the Fund’s long-standing mandate to advance national development through targeted investments in health.

These include initiatives promoting healthy lifestyles, upgrading facilities, providing essential equipment, training personnel, supporting mental health, and strengthening programmes related to cancer care and end-stage renal disease.

Ms. Coulton stated that, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the urgency of strengthening Jamaica’s health systems has become even more pronounced.

“As we rebuild our homes and communities, we must also rebuild and strengthen our commitment to health. Natural disasters don’t just damage infrastructure; they disrupt people’s lives and their access to essential services, including healthcare. For individuals living with hypertension, diabetes, or other risk factors, such disruption can mean missed medicines, unchecked blood pressure, and unmanaged disease,” she added.

Emphasising the scale of cardiovascular disease in Jamaica, Ms. Coulton underscored that ensuring continuity of care is not optional but an essential priority.

“Recovering from Hurricane Melissa must not only mean rebuilding roads and homes but also safeguarding the health of our communities, including heart health,” she maintained.

Ms. Coulton commended the HFJ for its tireless work in delivering life‑saving screening and treatment services to Jamaicans across the island.

“The Foundation’s mission to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease depends heavily on its ability to reach people where they are. This diagnostic equipment… allows the Foundation to bring essential early-detection services directly to the populations that need them most,” she added.