The Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) in St Andrew has received a donation of care items from the Rotaract Club of Kingston (RCOK), valued more than J$200,000.

The items include junior bed and crib sheet sets, tissues, paper towels and laundry detergents.
Hospital CEO Anthony Wood, who addressed the recent handover ceremony, said the hospital welcomed partnerships of this nature, as healthcare is not just the responsibility of the Government, “it is all our business”.

The chief executive added that it was “refreshing” to witness so many young people leading the charge of support for healthcare and supporting the institution.

“It is very good to see young people doing something positive. We hear so many negative things about youth… but seeing so many young people rallying together to inspire and impact social change is very refreshing,” he said.

Wood also highlighted that “these tangible donations” will go towards the care of the younger population, who will one day be the same ambassadors and stewards of service, like the members of RCOK.

For her part, club president Natasha Burnett said that the occasion “is a moment of nostalgia”, as she was afforded the opportunity during her days at Wolmer’s High School for Girls to volunteer and support the children on the burn unit of the Arthur Wint Drive-based hospital.

“When we became aware of the needs of the hospital, particularly the laundry department, I saw this as an avenue in which we could help to bridge the gap and make a lasting difference for these young ones as they progress through their recovery or treatment,” she said.

Burnett said that with the help of their corporate partners, Choi’s Manufacturing and Sanmerna Paper Products Limited, they were able to get bulk donations of toilet paper, laundry detergents, and paper towels.

“Combined with the funds raised through our club, we were able to commission the sewing of 30 sets of bed linen,” the club president said.

Meanwhile, director of nursing services at the hospital, Beverly Senior-Berry, said each gift is of “great value, and the crib sheets, especially, will go a far way to brighten the spirits of the babies and, hopefully, expedite their recovery”.