The AFJ began its Critical Care PPE Distribution initiative in 2020 to support Jamaican hospitals combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.
In January 2020, medical equipment and supplies were donated by members of the diaspora community in Connecticut. The items were presented to Kingston Public Health (KPH) and Victoria Jubilee Hospital.
In partnership with Saint Francis Hospital Trinity Health in Hartford, Connecticut, the AFJ has presented two shipments of critical PPE to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). In March 2020, 18,000 N95 masks, 40,000 sterile gloves and 1,140 surgical gowns were donated to UHWI. At the end of July, a second donation of two forty-foot containers consisting of 20,000 KN95 masks, 32,825 coveralls, and disposable gowns and isolation gowns were presented.
Saint Francis Hospital, a member of Trinity Health Of New England, is an anchor institution in Hartford committed to health and healing through compassionate care, effective technology, and a people-centered approach. The AFJ’s partnership with Saint Francis is important in maintaining the health and safety of essential hospital workers in Jamaica.
“We at Saint Francis Hospital are honored to partner with the American Friends of Jamaica and provide much needed supplies to support the Ministry of Health and Wellness to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Thomas Burke, BPharm, MBA, President of Saint Francis Hospital. “It is our Mission to be a compassionate and transforming healing presence, and it is with partnerships such as these that we actively live that Mission both in our local communities and across the globe.”
On behalf of the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Honorable Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, thanks and appreciation was expressed by Courtney Cephas, Executive Director, Health for Life and Wellness Foundation who further stated, “With us now looking at a third-wave of the pandemic, this generous gift of PPEs could not have come at a better time to support the tireless work of our healthcare staff who we are indebted to for the great progress we have made in this war against COVID-19”.
The AFJ’s efforts to aid Jamaica during the COVID-19 pandemic are ongoing. The AFJ is pleased to collaborate with the Jamaica Poverty Trust in the delivery of the shipment of two 40ft containers. This collaboration is an important milestone in achieving our mutual goals. “To further the mission of the AFJ, partnership provides many benefits. It allows our nonprofit, the private sector and government to join together to make even greater strides for stronger outcomes. The AFJ is grateful for these mutually beneficial opportunities” expressed AFJ Executive Director, Caron Chung.
Donate now to our COVID-19 Vaccine Fund https://www.gofundme.com/f/afj-vaccine-fund
