Caption: Seen in photo: (From left to right)- Michelle Williams, Regional Director of VP records; Senator the Honourable Leslie Campbell, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign affairs and Foreign Trade at the handover ceremony of medical equipment and supplies coordinated by Jamaica’s Consulate General in New York.
Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, has welcomed donation of medical supplies valued at over sixty-eight million Jamaican dollars coordinated through the Consulate General in New York, as a “tangible demonstration of the value of a whole-of-government approach to sustainable growth and development.”
The donation which included 26 oxygen concentrators, syringes and personal protective equipment (PPE) including face masks and face shields was made through Jamaica’s Consulate General in New York funded by donations from the Rollins Foundation, the Hartford HealthCare Group, VP Records and Dr. Robert Clarke.
In expressing gratitude, the Foreign Minister said, “This donation was realised, yet again, through the tireless efforts and dedication of Consul General Alsion Roach Wilson, with the invaluable assistance of the members of our very active Diaspora and our many friends across the length and breadth of the USA.” Johnson Smith added that, “My team and I at the Foreign Ministry are truly pleased to work with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and to play a part in further enhancing Jamaica’s public health infrastructure.”
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, who was present for the handover ceremony, described the donation as “another demonstration of the public-private partnership in health at work for the benefit of the people of Jamaica.” The Health Minister informed that the donation will contribute to the successful operations of at least seven hospitals across the island.
The Foreign Minister also expressed her gratitude to the Harlem Hospital as well as to Mr. Dennis Hawthorne of Dennis Shipping and other partners such as Feurtado Shipping and Quality One International Shipping for their assistance.
