Vulnerable Jamaican mothers will gain assistance accessing the public healthcare system through the newly launched maternal and newborn health program called, ‘Right Start – A Maternal and Newborn Care Initiative’.
The initiative, which was launched on Monday is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), and the Jamaicans Abroad Helping Jamaicans at Home (JAHJAH) Foundation.
Speaking at the launch at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton praised the collaboration and shared that 24 handheld machines are being donated to more than ten hospitals islandwide to be used in Obstetric Units and Accident and Emergency Departments.
In March 2023, the initiative will target 2,000 mothers. Tufton said Jamaica is still committed to reducing the maternal death rate to 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
Through modern, state-of-the-art handheld ultrasound technology – Butterfly Monitors, the program will provide a variety of care items for vulnerable women and their newborns, as well as improve diagnostic services throughout public health facilities.
The portable devices will allow for early and speedy diagnostics, such as screening for birth or heart problems, prenatal testing, and pregnancy complication checks.
Furthermore, 100 adolescents and other disadvantaged mothers will get Snuggle Nests, which are portable infant loungers/beds, as well as basic items such as diapers, skin care, oral care, and hygiene supplies.
Victoria Jubilee, Kingston Public, Cornwall Regional, Black River, Savanna-la-Mar, St. Ann’s Bay, May Pen, Princess Margaret, Mandeville Regional, and Spanish Town hospitals, as well as the University Hospital of the West Indies, will benefit.
Tufton also expressed gratitude to the partners, especially the American Friends of Jamaica, which funded the ultrasound machines for US$25,000, and the Snuggle Nest, which provided supplies worth more than US$15,000.
President of American Friends of Jamaica, Wendy Hart, also expressed gratitude and thanked all the donors who contributed to the AFJ, noting that the grant will impact and transform lives.
Minister Tufton also thanked the JAHJAH Foundation, which will provide training for the usage of ultrasound devices.
Dr. Trevor Dixon, the founder and chief executive officer of the JAHJAH Foundation, announced that under the Jamaican Handheld Ultrasound Project, healthcare workers over two days will learn about the use of ultrasound technology and the Butterfly IQ probes.
He shared that the handheld technological Butterfly IQ probes will allow physicians and clinicians to save Jamaican lives.
“This device is truly a game changer. For example, instead of bringing patients to another department to have an ultrasound being done, this device is 100 per cent portable and can be placed in the doctor’s pocket and truly streamline patient care,” he said.
Dr. Dixon further noted that more than 400 physicians in public health hospitals have been trained since the foundation’s inception 15 years ago.
