Health Minister Commends WISYNCO for Donation

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has praised the Wisynco Group for its monetary donation of $250,000 to the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica, which will help to bolster activities of the entity, while increasing awareness about the auto-immune disease in the country.

The presentation was made during a ceremony at the Kingston Public Hospital, on September 5.

“I’m very happy for this, because in a real way…this is not just a gift of $250,000 to the Lupus Foundation, but it really represents an opportunity to lift the profile of this disease and to continue the public education, which is so important for us as a country,” he said.

The Lupus Foundation of Jamaica advocates for improved diagnosis and treatment, while helping patients to find life coping strategies.

The Minister said the contribution will also help the Foundation with its research into Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, which affects approximately 1 in every 250 to 300 Jamaican women.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, commonly known as Lupus, is a disorder of the immune system.  In Lupus, the immune system becomes over-reactive.  It produces antibodies which damage normal healthy cells.  This in turn leads to disease of the organs to which the antibodies were directed.

The disease is also under-diagnosed and very expensive to treat, with some patients needing up to 12 drugs simultaneously.

Chairman of the Wisynco Group, William Mahfood, said the donation was made in recognition of the need to promote greater awareness of the disease, and to provide “seed money for the valuable services the Foundation offers.”

“Wisynco is pleased to do anything it can to help raise the public awareness of this often life threatening illness and to help those with lupus learn how to manage their condition,” he said.

Head of the Foundation, Dr. Desiree Tulloch-Reid, expressed gratitude for the gift, noting that it will help the Foundation with its work, “so that we can have earlier diagnosis, and we can continue to provide the support system for persons living with lupus.”

“It bolsters our confidence and our faith in the generosity and the humanity that is still alive and well in corporate Jamaica,” she added.

The Wisynco Group also donated 300 cases of drinking water to the Kingston Public, Victoria Jubilee, and Spanish Town hospitals.

The Lupus Foundation of Jamaica is a voluntary patient organisation and has been in operation since 1984.  It aspires to improve the outcome of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, through a better awareness and a deeper understanding of the disease.  One of its major activities is patient support and counselling.