The Bellevue Hospital received a US$5,534.21 cheque from the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States of America (U.S.A). The cheque represents proceeds collected at the annual Independence Church Service held on August 4 in Washington D.C. This donation is significant in recognition of Mental Health Month.
The cheque was handed over to Ms. Stacy-Ann Lawman, Director, Patient Services at the Bellevue Hospital by the Foreign Minister, on behalf of the Jamaican Embassy in Washington D.C., at the Ministry’s offices. During the handover, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, underscored the importance of the hospital in giving “critical and sensitive care to citizens.”
The funds are earmarked to support social services for aging patients who are unable to return home. It will also assist patients in transition, who are receiving employment and skills training, to facilitate independent, non institutionalized living.
In her letter to the institution, the Jamaican Ambassador to the USA, H.E. Audrey Marks noted, “We are cognizant of the challenges and existing financial constraints affecting Bellevue Hospital, which inter alia, serves a large population of out-patient to acute residential care patients.”
The Bellevue Hospital currently cares for over 600 patients.
