By Trudy Simpson, Staff ReporterSEVERAL CONCERNED citizens have come together to raise $4 million to refurbish and reopen the obstetrics and gynaecology ward at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).
The original facility, ward nine, has been closed for a year with medical care being offered temporarily from a nearby outfit.
According to Lanie Oakley-Williams, co-founder of the group Friends Incorporated West Indies (FIWI), the ward was one of three closed for refurbishing but funds dried up after two of the three wards were renovated.
It will cost just over $4 million to do the necessary repairs, Ms. Oakley-Williams said.
So far, the group has received a pledge of $160,000 from Citibank and 12 gallons of paint from Shirlhome Chemicals. They are also receiving help from organisations such as the Leo Club of downtown Kingston, the young professional arm of the Lions Club of downtown Kingston and the Medical Students' Association.
The target is to reopen the ward on International Women's Day in March next year but to meet that goal, "we need the public to come in and help," she added.
The ward caters to women from all socio-economic backgrounds and sees about 1,000 women each year.
That is why this project is so important, Ms. Oakley-Williams said. "The ward serves everybody."
The team began canvassing assistance three weeks ago through a tag drive, block drives and letters and calls to corporate sponsors.
ALL JAMAICANS
She is asking all Jamaicans to give what they can - in cash, kind or fund-raising ideas.
"There are 15,000 stickers out there at $25 dollars each," she said yesterday.
Cheques should be made payable to the University Hospital of the West Indies and persons wishing to contribute should contact Ms. Oakley-Williams and her team at 919-3689 or e-mail: fiwifriends@hotmail.com. The group has also opened a Bank of Nova Scotia Account at the Bank's New Kingston Branch. The account number is 904404.
