AFJ gifts Jamaica with PPE to combat COVID-19

THE AMERICAN Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) is announcing the arrival of critical

COVID-19 protective supplies to Jamaica.

Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, presented a second donation since the pandemic of 20,000 KN95 masks and 32,825 coveralls, disposable gowns and isolation gowns valued at over US$90,000.

Saint Francis Hospital, a member of Trinity Health Of New England, is an anchor institution in Hartford

committed to health and healing through compassionate care, effective technology, and a

people-centred approach. The AFJ’s partnership with Saint Francis is important in maintaining the

health and safety of essential hospital workers in Jamaica.

“We at Saint Francis Hospital are honoured to partner with the American Friends of Jamaica and provide

much-needed supplies to support the Ministry of Health and Wellness to help combat the COVID-19

pandemic,” said Thomas Burke, president of Saint Francis Hospital. “It is our mission to be

a compassionate and transforming healing presence, and it is with partnerships such as these that we

actively live that mission, both in our local communities and across the globe.”

On behalf of the Ministry of Health and Wellness and Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton,

thanks and appreciation was express by Courtney Cephas, executive director, Health for Life and

Wellness Foundation, who further stated, “With us now looking at a third wave of the pandemic, this

generous gift of PPEs (personal protective equipment) could not have come at a better time to support the tireless work of our healthcare staff, to whom we are indebted for the great progress we have made in this war against COVID-19.”

The AFJ’s efforts to aid Jamaica during the COVID-19 pandemic are ongoing. The AFJ is pleased to

collaborate with the Jamaica Poverty Trust in the delivery of the shipment of two 40-foot containers. This

collaboration is an important milestone in achieving their mutual goals. “To further the mission of the AFJ,

partnership provides many benefits. It allows our non-profit, the private sector and government to join

together to make even greater strides for stronger outcomes. The AFJ is grateful for these mutually

beneficial opportunities,”noted AFJ Executive Director Caron Chung.