UHWI Neonatal Intensive Care Unit gets $15m injection

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) will benefit from a $15-million donation from the Supreme Ventures Foundation (SVF).

The funds will be used to purchase urgently needed neonatal resuscitators, a bilirubin phototherapy system, medical oxygen cylinders and personal protective equipment for the NICU. The pieces of equipment, which are set to arrive in March, will greatly assist the medical staff in treating babies with unique respiratory conditions and ease some of the burden that they currently face.

SVF said that the donation is being made through an agreement facilitated by the Zayn B. Ennis (ZBE) Foundation.

"We are so humbled to be able to assist the UHWI's NICU at this time," said Heather Goldson, director of the SVF.

"Our nurses and doctors across the board are doing yeoman's service with limited resources, and in the case of our sickest babies at this critically vulnerable stage of their lives, having access to necessary equipment makes a huge difference," Goldson added.

Earlier this year, SVF donated a mobile ultrasound machine to the diagnostic department at the UHWI. In addition, the Kingston Public Hospital received approximately $13 million earlier this month to renovate and improve the functionality of the main doctors' lounges.

Chairman of the ZBE Foundation, Ative S. Ennis, says they are grateful for the partnership with SVF and look forward to the difference this donation will make.