Hartford HealthCare spearheads sizable donation to Jamaican Health System through collaboration with local businesses
A donation by a local business facilitated through Hartford HealthCare is bringing more than $550,000 worth of PPE to Jamaica.
Hartford HealthCare has forged a strong partnership with the island nation since the start of the pandemic with the health system coordinating the donation of needed supplies and exploring other opportunities to share technology and information.
Hearing about this connection, Chirag Thaker, and Jalpa Thaker from Russell and Dawson Architecture in East Hartford, reached out to see how they could help.
“In our community, everyone now has access to masks and hand sanitizers. We were looking to donate these to where they would be most valuable and useful,” said Chirag Thaker, president, Russell and Dawson Architecture.
From Left to Right: Christopher Benjamin, Community Relations Officer, Jamaican Health Consulate Bimal Patel, President, Hartford Hospital Chirag Thaker, Owner of Russell and Dawson Architecture, Son of Chirag Thaker
Their donation includes KN95 masks, 3 ply masks, gloves, gowns and hand sanitizer—items still in great need in Jamaica. The company has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in PPE to various communities and organizations since the start of the pandemic.
“This donation will go a long way in alleviating the difficulties we are still having in Jamaica because of the pandemic. These PPE will be distributed to several hospitals on the island. It will help ensure there is an adequate supply of PPE, especially in the areas of greatest need,” said Chris Benjamin, community relations officer for the Jamaican Consulate in New York City.
During the pandemic, Hartford HealthCare has helped facilitate the donation of equipment and supplies to Jamaica including oxygen cannisters, imaging and heart monitoring equipment, medical carts, and mobile exam lights. In June, a delegation from the country met with Hartford HealthCare and Hartford Hospital leadership to explore further partnerships.
“The pandemic is global in nature and requires massive collaboration from multiple parties to address the core needs of all communities. We are so grateful for Chirag and Jalpa’s leadership in making this donation happen,” said Bimal Patel, president of Hartford Hospital and senior vice president, Hartford HealthCare. “We are proud to be able to help facilitate this and other donations through partnerships we have in place in the healthcare industry, with foreign agencies, local businesses, and community organizations.”