Usain Bolt Takes on Health Centre in Hometown

World and Olympic Sprint Champion, Usain Bolt, has taken another step towards improving his community of Sherwood Content, Trelawny, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for refurbishing and maintaining the community’s health centre.
The MOU was signed Wednesday (March 31) with the Ministry of Health and the National People’s Co-operative Bank of Jamaica Limited (NPCB), at the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), New Kingston.
Bolt’s Manager, Norman Peart, signed on behalf of the athlete, who was ill and unable to attend the function.
Mr. Peart noted that, under the MOU, Bolt’s organisation, Sherwood Holdings Limited, would renovate and maintain the health centre, through a lease from the NPCB, which owns the land, while the Health Ministry will continue to provide health services.
The agreement will remain in place for 10 years, with the option of renewal when it expires.
All projects will be executed by the United Way of Jamaica and are set to begin in April, with repairs to the roof, which is deemed a priority. Other projects such as painting and provision of equipment will be undertaken thereafter.
Mr. Peart said that Sherwood Holdings Limited is also planning to provide facilities for dental procedures to be carried out.
“Basic dental care is very expensive right now, and we have been talking to the parish manager, and she has said she should be able to have, at least, a dental nurse to assist. I think that would be a big boost to the clinic,” he outlined.
Mr. Peart shared that the project was one of several being undertaken by Bolt in Trelawny, his home parish, and that he intends to do a lot more for the community.
Chairman of the NPCB, Howard Paulwell, reiterated the NPCB’s commitment to rural communities.
“We are open to form any alliance that will bring value and support to the people we serve.It is our distinct pleasure to be a part of this venture, and we look forward to a long and beneficial association,” he stated.
Chairman of the Western Regional Health Authority, Noel Donaldson, expressed his appreciation to Bolt and his team for undertaking the project, and pledged that the Authority would keep its end of the bargain by delivering the best quality service to the residents of Sherwood Content.
The Sherwood Content Health Centre delivers primary health services, including antenatal care, to approximately 1,000 residents per year. Funds were raised to begin work on the facility through Bolt’s “9.58 Super Party”, held in December, 2009, which yielded over $1 million.