Japan provides US $120,000 for Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the K.H.M.H.

Today at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital the signing of a grant agreement between the national referral hospital, the Offices of the Special Envoy for Women and Children and the Japan Government took place. The grant, which is approximately one hundred and twenty thousand U.S. dollars, is to be used for the purchasing of equipment for the pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit which is currently under construction.  The request for sponsorship by the Special Envoy was taken on by Japan’s Grassroots and Human Security Grants Project and will also assist in making sure that the facility PICU and NICU be properly staffed as well giving quality healthcare within the country. On hand for the signing were C.E.O. of the K.H.M.H., Doctor Gary Longsworth, First Secretary for the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica, Hiromoto Oyama, and Special Envoy for Women and Children, Kim Simplis Barrow.

Kim Simplis Barrow, Special Envoy for Women and Children

Kim Simplis Barrow

“When we looked at the bigger picture, the sad reality is that there are kids struggling to recover from regular childhood illnesses that hinder their development due to lack of treatment options…children with cancers and others needing tertiary care often have to travel hundreds of miles at catastrophic costs that in many instances are far greater than their families’ income and cannot be sustained. We knew that a simple renovation could not be enough, the existing space is not adequate to provide the level of service and attention that these children and babies require. No, these precious young patients need an entire, properly equipped space designed just for them—a space where their needs will be well taken care of by specialized nurses and doctors; a space that will evoke within parents and families the confidence that once here, their child will get the best possible care.”

Hiromoto Oyama

Hiromoto Oyama, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Jamaica

“The project is to improve medical facility of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital at a cost of one hundred and nineteen thousand seven hundred and five U.S. dollars through the assistance of the Government of Japan. I’m particularly pleased that the signing takes place in the special year of 2014 which is being celebrated as the Japan CARICOM Friendship year. Partnership such as this project demonstrates that commitment of the government of Japan to work with our friends in Caribbean Countries.”

Dr. Gary Longsworth, C.E.O., K.H.M.H.

Gary Longsworth

“What started as a very ambitious idea of Misses Barrow more than two years ago is now taking physical shape on the grounds of the K.H.M.H. when finished, it will be the single largest service area on the compound and will cater to the needs of the sickest neonates and children who come to this hospital for specialized care. The goal is to provide a facility of the highest quality, staffed by personnel of the highest caliber in a caring and patient-friendly environment.”

The pediatric intensive care unit and neonatal intensive care unit is expected to be completed early next year.