In partnership with the Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the Government of Canada has provided essential medical equipment to support the Government of Jamaica in its national response to COVID-19.
In a ceremony today, High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, Her Excellency Laurie Peters, and PAHO/WHO Representative for Jamaica, Dr Bernadette Theodore-Gandi, handed over US$122,000 worth of medical supplies to the Minister of Health, Dr Hon. Christopher Tufton and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Besasor-McKenzie.
The donation consisted of PPEs for health care workers and medical equipment and supplies for five isolation areas in hospitals, including 457,372 surgical masks; 27,445 KN95 respirator masks; five resuscitation trolleys, automated external defibrillators, patient monitors, suction machines, nebulisers and video laryngoscopes. In addition, Canadian contributions will also support the training of healthcare workers in the areas of surveillance, rapid response, and case management.
“Canada is pleased to once again stand in solidarity with Jamaica and make this contribution to help in the fight against COVID-19. This support is a part of our assistance package deployed in the region to strengthen the COVID-19 response through supporting healthcare interventions and ensuring that there is a ready supply of critical supplies and equipment,” said High Commissioner Peters.
Hon. Tufton expressed gratitude for the continued cooperation between the Ministry of Health, PAHO/WHO and the Government of Canada for the strength in partnership and generous support to the people of Jamaica, especially during this difficult time.
“Jamaica’s COVID-19 response has, as a key pillar, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which has been providing support from the immergence of this virus. We have benefited from technical expertise and we continue to be support through the donations of essential equipment that has contributed to the success of our response. On behalf of the government and people of Jamaica, we thank PAHO for its sustained effort in ensuring that Jamaicans have the opportunity for a favourable outcome against this virus,” said a grateful Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, MP.
Canada has partnered with PAHO to provide protective gear, and life-saving health and medical supplies to scale up the COVID-19 response across the Caribbean region. “Partnership remains essential to the COVID-19 response both at a country and regional level. PAHO is grateful for the strong and productive partnership with the Government of Canada because only together can we overcome COVID-19
Canada’s contribution comes in addition to an early response to COVID-19 in the Caribbean, through which Canada allocated $5M to the Pan-American Health Organization to validate country needs, procure and distribute supplies and protective equipment.
