Page 112 - JSIF Magazine Approved-v2-web4

An ambulance supplied to The contributions made by JSIF to the
the North-East Region Health improvement of access to better health
under the Emergency Recovery care in Jamaica, is considered a major
life-enhancing initiative, and for that
Project. reason, the work of the organization
continues to be aligned with the vision
In its 20th year, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund continues to strive to contribute to of the Ministry of Health, and thereby
meeting national development goals; seeking earnestly to make Jamaica the place to assisting to meet the objectives of
work, live and raise families. Health is paramount in the empowerment of Jamaicans to Jamaica’s National Development Plan;
achieve their fullest potential as espoused in Jamaica’s Vision 2030 plan. in relation to the attainment of a healthy
and stable population.
JSIF holds firm to its commitment to provide quality infrastructure in all areas of
endeavour and believes that significant investment in health is imperative for economic JSIF’s support for Jamaica’s health
growth and poverty reduction. Hence, renovating, constructing and equipping health sector continues to be strategically
centres is imperative if our nation is to have healthy productive members. As an agency focused on ensuring that persons living
of the Government of Jamaica, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund has already made in underserved communities across
significant investments in the country’s health system; with some JMD$351.5 million the island have access to a viable,
approved since the organization’s inception in 1996, affecting approximately 110,000 responsive and efficient health system
beneficiaries. To date, 40 Community Health Centers across the island have benefitted that supports their holistic health,
from JSIF’s intervention. productivity and well-being.

The critical importance of having
ambulances or even multi-purpose
transfer units, based at community health
centres is often underestimated. On many
occasions, lives have been lost because
of the failure to respond to patients in
distress. In order to broaden the capacity of
Jamaica’s health sector, to respond to the
needs of health and emergency response,
two ambulances were presented to the
North East Regional Health Authority. It is
intended that these ambulances will serve
the people of Jamaica, especially those
within marginalized, at-risk and high-risk
communities. These ambulances have
provided integrated services to the North
East region of the island, with on-call
medical personnel delivering emergency
medical support and transport.

Fruitful Vale Health Centre, Portland rehabilitated by
JSIF under the Emergency Recovery Project after being
damaged by Hurricane Dean.

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