St. Ann’s Bay Hospital Gets State-of-the-Art Ultrasound Machine
By: , November 19, 2018The Key Point:
Photo: Nickieta Sterling
Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (right), and Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Hiromasa Yamazaki (2nd right), peruse the features of a new $8.2 million state-of-the-art ultrasound machine, which was donated to the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital by the Government of Japan under the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects initiative. The machine was officially handed over during a ceremony at the institution on Friday (November 16). Looking on (from left): are Labour and Social Security Minister and Member of Parliament for North East St. Ann, where the hospital is located, Hon. Shahine Robinson; the Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Leo Garel; St. Ann’s Bay Mayor and St. Ann Municipal Corporation Chairman, Councillor Michael Belnavis; and the Hospital’s Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr. Patrick Clarke.The Facts
- The machine, which was provided under the Government of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects initiative, was formally handed over by Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Hiromasa Yamazaki, during a ceremony at the hospital on Friday (November 16).
- The equipment, which has been in operation since August 2018, has already been used to conduct over 700 ultrasound examinations for maternal and child health services delivered at the institution.
The Full Story
The St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital has received a major boost with the donation of a new state-of-the-art ultrasound machine, valued approximately $8.2 million, by the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica.
The machine, which was provided under the Government of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects initiative, was formally handed over by Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Hiromasa Yamazaki, during a ceremony at the hospital on Friday (November 16).
The equipment, which has been in operation since August 2018, has already been used to conduct over 700 ultrasound examinations for maternal and child health services delivered at the institution.
Speaking at the ceremony, Health Minister, Dr. the Hon Christopher Tufton, in thanking the Embassy and Government of Japan, said the machine’s provision is a lifesaving intervention for residents of the communities served by the hospital.
“This is not insignificant from our perspective… or just a small incremental addition… this is substantial,” he emphasized.
For his part, Ambassador Yamazaki said improving Jamaica’s health sector remains a priority for the Government of Japan.
“We wholeheartedly support this medical health cooperation with the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, to serve the needs of the people of Jamaica. We are confident that this ultrasound equipment will be used appropriately and that health service delivery for all persons will be improved,” he stated.
Ambassador Yamazaki added that Japan and Jamaica share the view that “no one should be left behind from the development process and that everyone should be protected and empowered to achieve sustainable development and inclusive growth”.