Specialized medical machines valued at US$24, 946.47 or little over J$3.3 million were today (July 10) donated to the University Hospital of the West Indies’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), from the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints.

The donation includes two (2) infusion pumps, one (1) incubator,  three (3) Edan iM70 monitor with neonatal NIBP Cables, four (4) Baum Neonatal Cuffs, four (4) SPO2 Wrap Sensors, one (1) Edan ECG Cable and three (3) Edan Skin Temperature Probes.

“The Board of Management of the UHWI and the Department of Child Health are extremely appreciative of this donation to the Newborn Special Care Unit/ NICU by the Church of Latter-day Saints, Jamaica,” said Dr. Roxanne Melbourne-Chambers, Head of Child & Adolescent Health Department, UHWI. “These donations will significantly assist in improving the quality of care delivered to sick newborns admitted to the Unit. This gesture is in keeping with the Church of Latter-day Saints' history in Jamaica of caring for one's neighbour. The team in the Department of Child Health, UHWI, remains committed to offering optimal care to our patients and families and uses this opportunity to wish the Church of the Latter-day Saints, Jamaica every success.”

Dr. Shalini Banhan, Member, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints indicated that the project began a while back.

"It is a great blessing to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints and a part of the medical staff at UHWI. This project started approximately 2 years ago, when on duty the need for more machines at the NICU (Neonatal Incubator Care Unit) became gravely apparent. Subsequently, LDS Charities were willing to support this cause and through the Jamaica Hospital Supplies we were able to facilitate procurement of same. It is such a great privilege for this handover ceremony and we are all elated!"

Sharing similar sentiments were, Elder Mark and Sister Donetta Arrington, Welfare Services Missionaries, LDS Charities, “It is a great blessing for us to be given the opportunity to help you do the magnificent job you do for the babies that are in your care.  We know you have a lot of dedicated doctors and nurses who have made it their life work to do the best for them.  We hope this donation will help in this effort.”

They further noted that Jesus Christ’s mandate of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and giving drink to the thirsty is engrained in what they do.

-END-

About The University Hospital of the West Indies:

The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), accepted its first patient in September 1952 and has since been committed to providing quality training, research and healthcare for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.  The hospital strives for excellence in maintaining an environment that is conducive to an efficient, cost effective, and responsive health care promotion and delivery system.

For further information contact: Nordia Francis-Williams at 876-791-9570 or nordia.francis-williams@uhwi.gov.jm