Manwell’s Impact on ENT Services in Central Jamaica
In a significant advancement for healthcare in central Jamaica, the Manchester Wellness Foundation has enabled residents to access improved ear, nose, and throat (ENT) services locally at the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) in Manchester. This development means patients needing surgeries, such as the removal of foreign objects from the esophagus, no longer have to travel to Kingston.
On June 12, the Foundation contributed a state-of-the-art surgical microscope worth J$3.1 million to the MRH's ENT department. This equipment marks a milestone in enhancing the hospital's service capacity. Marcia Francis, Acting CEO of MRH, highlighted that from January to December 2018, the ENT department served over 5,100 patients and conducted 317 surgical procedures. The new microscope, she noted, will allow for more surgeries and improved patient care.
Dr. Andrew Manning, a consultant at MRH's ENT Department, emphasized the significant impact of the new equipment. It will notably benefit the treatment of serous otitis media with effusion, or 'glue ears', a common condition in children that can severely affect learning if not treated early. Previously, such cases were referred to Bustamante Hospital for Children, but can now be managed locally.
Dr. Manning expressed deep gratitude to the Foundation for its consistent support, which has greatly enhanced the department's capabilities. The Foundation's contributions, including this latest donation, have been crucial in handling cases that would have otherwise been referred to Kingston.
Herschel Ismail, Chairman of the Manchester Wellness Foundation and Acting Regional Director of the Southern Regional Health Authority, noted that the Foundation adopted the ENT department three years ago. Since then, it has donated equipment and instruments valued at over J$6 million. Since its establishment in 2003, the Foundation has raised and disbursed more than J$17.6 million to health facilities in Manchester through various fundraising events, including a run-walk and a vintage party.