The May Pen Hospital in Clarendon has been presented with the keys to a brand-new state of the art Toyota ambulance from the Alcoa Foundation, valued at US$47,300 ($3.3 million).

The vehicle's keys were presented to the hospital recently by Jamalco's managing director and board member of Alcoa's foundation, Jerome Maxwell, during a brief ceremony held at the hospital.

Mr. Maxwell said earlier this year that Jamalco learned the hospital had only one working ambulance and assisted the health facility in applying to the foundation for funding to purchase a new one.

"Our approach is to work with local organisations to identify needs and we have worked with the hospital and in particular parish manager for the Southern Region Health Authority (SRHA), Michael Bent, over the years to assist in whatever we can do," he said.

Mr. Maxwell said the Alcoa Foundation had been funding projects in Jamaica since 1988 and for 2006-2007 has funded eight projects valued at US$350,000 (J$25 million).

May Pen Hospital CEO Nadia Nunes-Howe said the hospital greatly appreciated the gift as "we transport at least four patients per day to other health facilities, and at times there might be as many as four patients in an ambulance".

Timely gift

She also assured Mr. Maxwell that the ambulance would be cared for, pointing to the drivers' excellent road safety records.

"Our ambulance drivers have had no accidents in the last four years," she said.

Hershel Ishmail, director of maintenance and operations for the SRHA, said the gift was a timely one as the May Pen Hospital is located close to two major highways and the new ambulance would help to reduce response and waiting time to transfer patients to other health facilities.

She promised to "cherish" the ambulance and ensure that it is properly maintained and "kept in immaculate condition".

Matron Opal Ruddock Francis said the ambulance is fully equipped.

"The equipment includes a suction machine, two built-in oxygen units as well as a portable oxygen tank, a stretcher on hydraulics and a portable stretcher and it has resuscitation equipment."

She added that the vehicle is air conditioned "but like our other ambulance has windows at the sides that allow medical staff to access fresh air if required".

- Dwight Nelson