The VM Foundation on Monday, October 2, handed over clinical equipment valued at $1.2 million to the maternity section of the St Jago Park Health Centre to boost patient care at the facility.

The donation included a handheld foetal doppler, digital blood pressure machine, manual blood pressure machine, LED examination light, digital scale, paediatric scale, sponge holding forceps and uterine sound equipment.

“One of our core mandates is parenting, and equipping parents with the tools to foster positive relationships with their children and support their cognitive, social and emotional development. Access to quality pre and post-natal care, pediatric care and other support systems can play a huge role in determining the physical and emotional health of parents and children, especially in their formative years,” said Samantha Charles, chief executive officer of the VM Foundation.

“Our support to this facility which serves so many individuals is critical and we hope to over time make additional contributions for the benefit of more parents,” she added.

This donation by the VM Foundation follows a commitment made by the charity a year ago to provide $4.5 million in support to the facility over a three-year period, through the Ministry of Health and Wellness Adopt-A-Clinic programme.

The funds will be used to purchase needed equipment and fund other support programmes.

“Many individuals are referred to the facility on an ongoing basis, especially at the maternity centre. Therefore, it is always important to ensure that we have functioning equipment to allow us to effectively care for our patients. This contribution will go a far way in helping us deliver on our commitment to providing optimal maternal health services. Our team looks forward to the continued support of the VM Foundation as we seek to meet our healthcare objectives as a facility and impact the nation,” said Dr Kathi-Mae Dockery, medical officer at the St Catherine Health Department.

The St Jago Park Health Centre was first adopted by the VM Foundation in 2018 and has facilitated infrastructure repairs and donations of clinical and facility equipment valued at J$3 million.