KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Massy Gas Product (Jamaica) Limited (Gas Pro) extended support to the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) with a donation of $400,000 on Monday, May 18, 2020.
The donation comes as the health region continues to screen, assess, diagnose and treat patients under the shadows of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The donation will be used to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) given the COVID-19 situation.
The PPEs will include masks, face shields, gowns, gloves and cover shoes to be distributed primarily to the St Ann’s Bay and Annotto Bay hospitals.
Rohan Ambersley, Chief Executive Officer of Massy Gas Product (Jamaica) Limited, handed over the cheque to Dennis ‘Delroy’ Morgan, Chief Executive Officer at St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital and Arlene Mighty, Regional Support Officer for the Technical Department of NERHA.
“Gas Pro is always ready to help our partners, customers and clients, but we were particularly heartened to see that the St Ann’s Bay Hospital treated the first recovered patient,” said Ambersely at the handover. “We are happy to build on our relationship with NERHA and strengthen the health region with resources as we mitigate the threats of COVID-19.”
After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Gas Pro provided two months’ supply of LPG (popularly termed cooking gas) — then valued at $400,000 — to the Annotto Bay and Port Maria hospitals. This donation also allows other hospital funds to utilised in other areas.
Morgan, who took up the post of CEO at St Ann’s Bay Hospital in February 2020, pointed out: “This donation will save lives. These PPE are not only necessary they are critical, essential to both staff and clients. So any assistance we get from any entity, but in this instance from Gas Pro is welcomed and very much appreciated.”
“With the increased usage pattern in this time of COVID, it is safe to say that the donation from Gas Pro will be used to purchase a substantive amount of PPE for the staff and patients,” Morgan shared.
The Type B hospital, which treats close to 300 patients daily, has plans to expand its male ward from 38 beds to accommodate 55; expand the accident and emergency department and build a new 12-bed isolation ward.
Along with the commercial relationship with the gas provider, Morgan revealed that Gas Pro is a good corporate citizen that often supports St Ann’s Bay Hospital’s fundraising efforts.
NERHA Regional Support Officer Mighty spoke at the handover in East Kingston explained that the donations and its proceeds will be shared among the five hospitals and 12 health centres that NERHA oversees in the region.
“In the event that there is a need [in other hospitals or health centres in the region] the equipment will be going there,” Mighty explained.