US Navy Vessel Donates Medical Supplies to Port Antonio Hospital

The Port Antonio Hospital in Portland recently benefited from medical supplies valued at approximately $1 million, which were donated by the crew of the United States Navy vessel HSV-2 Swift.
The vessel is currently docked at the Boundbrook Wharf in Port Antonio, which is the final stop of its six-month deployment to the Caribbean and Central America.
The donation comprised Stryker manual beds, mattresses, examination gloves, disposable surgical gowns, examination table and lights, laboratory coats, band aids, ear thermometers, surgical towels, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and hygiene kits.
United States Ambassador to Jamaica, Brenda LaGrange Johnson, who handed over the supplies on behalf of the crew, said that the gift represented a reaching out of the American people to the residents of Port Antonio.
She expressed the hope that the items will help the hospital to continue to provide excellent service to the residents of Port Antonio and surrounding areas, noting that the provision of quality health service in rural communities is very challenging. Hospital Manager, Brent Nation, thanked the crew of the HSV-2 Swift for making the donation and gave the assurance that the supplies will be used to enhance the ability of the institution to provide the best health care for its patients.
In his comments, Captain Douglas Weid, commanding officer of the HSV-2 Swift, said the crew is happy to make the donation and expressed the hope that the visit of the vessel will make a lasting impact of warm friendship and new partnership in the Port Antonio community.
The vessel is spending two weeks in Port Antonio and the crew has been providing training for members of the Jamaica Defence Force and the Jamaica Constabulary Force in port security, professional development, operational risk management, medical readiness, outboard motor repair, coxswain duties, and patrol craft operations.