Hospitals get equipment

Dr Ionie Pierce, founding member of the Concerned Friends of the Percy Junor Hospital, recently visited the island with a container filled with 60 hospital beds and other medical supplies.

The supplies were not only for Percy Junor, but also the Mandeville Regional Hospital and other facilities within the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA).

The supplies are valued at more than US$5,000, and Dr Pierce told CENTRAL STAR that although Percy Junor is their project hospital, they have supported other hospitals in Jamaica for more than 20 years.

"We have been concerned with Black River, Mandeville Regional, May Pen, Cornwall Regional, Princess Margaret, Port Maria and others over the years. We try to assist as much as we can to give back to our country," she said.

Born in St Elizabeth, Dr Pierce says she is pleased to have been part of the initiative since its inception. They group is based in Brooklyn, New York, and gets donations from hospitals, nursing homes, private donors and members.

Group members then hold fundraising events to cover shipment and customs charges.

"This shipment included: electric beds with head and foot boards, mattresses, walkers, wheelchairs, canes, IV poles, crutches, wash basins, gloves, sheets, catheter bags, male urinal disposal bags and other items. We also brought items from nursing homes," said Pierce.

The donation is made annually.