Minister of Health, Horace Dalley (second right), examines one of six patient monitors that were donated to the Spanish Town Hospital, on Thursday, by the Desnoes and Geddes Foundation and Jamaica Public Service Company. Others from left are: Mark McKenzie, chairman of Desnoes and Geddes Foundation; Valda Lawrence-Campbell, matron, Spanish Town Hospital; and Damian Obiglio, chief executive officer and president of the Jamaica Public Service Company. - JIS photo

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:

The Desnoes & Geddes Foundation and the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) presented six patient monitors valued at $1.2 million to the Spanish Town Hospital Accident and Emergency Unit and other wards.

According to Dr. Jacqueline Bissasor McKenzie, medical consultant for the Accident & Emergency Unit, "The Spanish Town Hospital had, prior to this, zero patient monitoring units of this nature." She added: "This donation will replace the basic physiologic second-hand equipment that the hospital previously used. With the equipment the medical team can diagnose the patient's condition right away. This will go a far way in enhancing patient care as well as the training of doctors and medical students."

The hospital serves some 6,000 accident and emergency patients per month, 1,500 of whom are critically ill patients and a reported average of 400 who require the use of physiologic patient monitors. Chairman of the Desnoes & Geddes Foundation and Managing Director of Red Stripe, Mark McKenzie, said, "As a company and a foundation, we are absolutely committed to impacting lives and enriching communities."

Damian Obiglio, president and CEO of JPS, highlighted the importance of patient monitoring to any hospital, indicating that, "These patient monitors are expected to significantly enhance the treatment that patients receive while at the Spanish Town Hospital. The hospital should be better equipped to serve its stakeholders and generally improve its relationship with surrounding communities."

Investment continues

"Through this partnership today, JPS continues its investment in Jamaica's development as we are also involved in education and sports. It is clear that we are ultimately investing in the economic future of this country with this contribution to the Spanish Town Hospital, as healthy workers mean fewer days away from work, safer working environments and more harmonious interpersonal relationships while on the job. We are proud of this association and delighted to be given the opportunity to partner with another private sector company on this initiative," Mr Obiglio said.

Red Stripe's association with the health sector goes beyond this single donation as for a number of years Red Stripe has partnered with organisations such as the National Blood Transfusion Services with the donation of 480 cases of Malta annually". Minister of Health Horace Dalley lauded Red Stripe on their long-standing contribution to the country's health sector. He said that this latest initiative by the company would be of tremendous benefit to the hospital and the neighbouring parishes it serves.

David Dobson, CEO of the Spanish Town Hospital, said, "Without these monitors it is more challenging for the medical team to detect fluctuations in patient's condition."

The machines provide continuous oxygen saturation levels, blood pressure, pulse and temperature monitoring in the critically ill patients. The mobile monitors are also used for the transportation of critically ill patients to other institutions, which average approximately two per week.

Did you know ...?

The Spanish Town Hospital was first opened in 1952. It currently houses nine wards, including medical, surgical, geriatric, pediatrics, obstetric and gynaecology.

In response to the changing needs of the community, coupled with the shift in epidemiological profile of the target population, the hospital has a bed capacity of 282. It provides services in internal medicine, general surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics, obstetrics, gynaecology, radiology, pathology and accident and emergency. The hospital also operates an outpatient service and a variety of paramedical services, including laboratory, x-ray, physiotherapy, dietary and pharmacy.