Sandals Foundation injects $3m into St Ann’s Bay, Cornwall hospitals

Medical teams at St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital and Cornwall Regional Hospital are better placed to serve patients following a $3-million injection of resources from the Sandals Foundation.

The donations have assisted recovery after Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28.

At St Ann’s Bay, the hospital’s dietary department has reopened with new kitchen equipment worth $2 million, including a range stove, freezer and refrigerator. The unit can now prepare 300 meals a day.

Dennis Morgan, the hospital’s chief executive officer, welcomed the support.

“During the hurricane, we lost the roof of the building that housed our dietary department. Since then, we have changed locations and created a new space to serve our patients’ needs,” he said.

He added: “The dietary department here at the St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital is critical because while patients are here to receive medical care, proper nutrition is part of the healing process… . The Sandals Foundation’s donation of both the stove and refrigerators to us to continue that care in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa is so vital, and we are so appreciative of that assistance.”

Cornwall Regional Hospital received 50 mattresses, valued at just over $1 million, to replace bedding ruined by the storm.

The gift follows earlier deliveries of tarpaulins for temporary roofing at the Records, Maternity and Accident & Emergency departments. Some 500 cases of water and hygiene supplies, including wipes and nappies, have also been distributed.

Heidi Clarke, executive director of the Sandals Foundation, said hospital support is central to its hurricane response.

“A key part of our relief response is to support hospitals, clinics, and the well-being of our communities. We are committed to making our healthcare facilities as functional as possible to protect the ill, injured, children, and the vulnerable,” she said.

The latest donations come after $6 million in equipment was handed to the Bustamante Hospital for Children in November, to aid the care of critically ill neonates and children transferred from western Jamaica.

The foundation says it will continue to prioritise emergency relief and the restoration of classrooms, ensuring that children can return to school safely.