Jamaica receives $11.3m from Canadian Gov’t for COVID-19 response
Juanique Tennant / Our Today
To show its support for the Government of Jamaica’s COVID-19 response, the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives has donated J$11.3 million to the country’s Ministry of Health and Wellness.
According to the ministry, this donation will support the expansion of COVID-19 wards enabling the procurement of some 48 hospital beds.
During the handover ceremony which took place at the ministry’s office in New Kingston on Tuesday (April 20), Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Emina Tudakovic, said that “Canada stands with its international partners in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Tudakovic also expressed that “the support to these hospital wards is an extension of Canada’s global response and international assistance to developing countries to prevent further spread of the coronavirus and strengthen governments’ capacity to fight the pandemic”.
In response to this, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton expressed his gratitude for the continued cooperation between Canada and Jamaica; and offered his appreciation for Canada’s generous support of the island’s COVID-19 response efforts.
“Success in the fight against this global pandemic requires collaboration and cooperation. The Government and people of Jamaica are grateful to the Government and people of Canada for this donation, which will help to boost our local response actions,” said Tufton.
The procurement of the additional hospital beds is to be completed by Friday (April 30) and will help to enhance the capacity and resilience of the health system to provide effective medical care for persons with COVID-19 in Jamaica.
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