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From the Jamaica Gleaner

Tuesday | November 10, 2015 | Adrian Frater

Paediatric care at the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland, got a major boost last week when the Issa Trust Foundation, in collaboration with US-based Heart to Heart Foundation, presented the institution with state-of-the art equipment valued at US$190,000.

The items donated included incubators, warmers for newborns, diagnostic equipment, operating lights and ventilators, among other much-needed equipment.

In expressing gratitude for the equipment, Dr Kerri Ann McKenzie, the hospital’s paediatrician, said the equipment, donated specifically to fully outfit a new Level 2 Special Care Nursery, will ensure advanced respiratory support of newborns.

“It will allow us to offer much better care, particularly to our newborns but also to the general department, ” said Dr McKenzie

Camile Lewin, acting chief executive officer at the hospital, expressed profound gratitude to the Issa Trust Foundation, saying the organisation had come to the institution’s assistance at a most opportune time.

“I want to express my deep appreciation to the Issa Trust Foundation for coming on board and assisting us where we’ve fallen short,” said Lewin, noting that while the hospital’s needs were great, the support they were getting was proving to be quite helpful.

Diane Pollard, president and chief executive officer, the Issa Trust Foundation, who was present for the hand over, assembling and installation of the equipment, expressed much delight at being able to assist the hospital.

“We’re excited at the opportunity to partner with the Western Regional Heath Authority and the hospital to bring acute neonate services to enhance what they already have,” said Pollard, whose team included technical experts, who assembled the equipment and advise senior staff on how to use them.

“We bring the equipment down, we make sure it is working,” Pollard said. “The foundation also paid for piped oxygen for the ward and, in January, we’re going to come back with our neonate specialist. We’re going to set up the ventilator and train staff to give these babies some comfort.”

The Issa Trust Foundation is a non-profit organisation created by Paul Issa’s Couples Resort to focus on supporting paediatric health initiatives. Heart to Heart is a US non-profit body that provides volunteers around the world and helps in disaster recoveries.

Jamaica Gleaner
October 13, 2015

More than 1000 children received free medical and eye care during The Issa Trust Foundation Pediatric Medical Mission held over five days in the parishes of Hanover and Westmoreland from September 24 – 29.

The Paul Issa chaired foundation, has been supporting Jamaica’s children over the past 11 years through various support programmes. Issa is also deputy chairman of Couples Resorts.

“We ensure that the mediation prescribed is available in Jamaica and if a patient requires follow up this is also facilitated,” Diane Pollard, president and CEO of the non- profit group said, “We are proud of our medical mission because we ensure continuity.”

“We have developed a highly efficient process to provide pediatric medical care to as many children at the highest standard of care we can deliver,” Pollard added, noting that they offer everything except for operations; all of which would normally cost a child in the region of US$400, which can making a big difference in a child’s life.

The outreach team led by registered nurse Kerri Cooke and Dr Pat Brophy comprises of medical professionals, such as pediatric pharmacists, intensive care physicians, hematology-oncology consultants, general pediatricians, nephrologists, nurse midwife, pulmonologists, neonatologist, pediatric nurse practitioner, a pediatric nurse and respiratory therapist.

The procedure takes each child through registration, blood pressure check along with other preliminary examinations, doctors’ visit and then to the pharmacy if medication is prescribed. Each child is then examined by a dental hygienist, followed by eye examination and the provision of prescribed eye wear to one in every four children seen, through the support of the Lions Club of Michigan’s donation of over 2000 eyeglasses.

“It’s just an awesome feeling to be giving back, “said pharmacist Art Abrahams, who hails from Ohio City in the US and who is making his second trip to Jamaica with the mission, “From a health care professional’s perspective this sort of support is very important, because such things can easily be taken for granted, but to see firsthand, the need of others, many who cannot afford it and then contribute to make a difference is very rewarding.

According to the foundation, its mission is to provide a system of prevention, health promotion and education, community health improvement and other services to promote well-being and development for the people of Jamaica.

mark.titus[at]gleanerjm.com

Direct Relief’s collaboration with the Issa Trust Foundation began in 2015 with the delivery of essential respiratory medications, including 792 inhalers, oral corticosteroids, and sodium chloride for use with nebulizers. Diagnostic and respiratory supplies and equipment, such as infant and neonate blood pressure cuffs, a pulse oximeter, and a nebulizer compressor, were also included.

Read more on Direct Relief’s website »