National healthcare body to receive US$300,000 worth of donated medical supplies
Published:Monday | October 20, 2025 | 12:10 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
A trailer load of medical supplies, valued around US$300,000, is to be handed over this week to the National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation (NHEF).
The handover ceremony is set to take place at the foundation’s offices on Hope Road in St Andrew on Wednesday.
The supplies have already been screened and approved by the foundation through its executive director, Cephas Courtney, and are expected to benefit hospitals across the island, including the Kingston Public, Cornwall Regional, Annotto Bay, Chapelton, Spanish Town, and Falmouth hospitals, as well as the Hargreaves Hospital in Mandeville, Lionel Town Hospital in Clarendon, and Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester, among others.
Expected to take part in the handover ceremony will be Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton; Dr Robert Clarke, head of Help Jamaica Medical Mission; Dr Bill Tinglin; and Courtney.
Faith, patriotism, compassion
The medical supplies were sourced by Medgive Foundation in Brooklyn at the behest of Clarke and Tinglin.
This is not the first time that Medgive has donated medical supplies to Jamaica, as in 2012 the foundation made a similar donation valued around US$80,000.
According to Tinglin, for more than 14 years, he and his network of United States-based partners have delivered countless containers of medical supplies and equipment to Jamaica. He noted that his work is driven by faith, patriotism and compassion, and is aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s healthcare system and saving lives.
Clarke, through Help Jamaica Medical Mission, has similarly led hundreds of doctors, nurses, and volunteers into underserved communities, providing care, medicine, and hope.
According to Clarke and Tinglin, their partnership will also launch a new operational fund in 2026, created through their collaboration with the Jamaican diaspora and the NHEF.
“We are establishing a fund to cover shipping costs for future bulk donations, which will finally remove one of the greatest obstacles that have long prevented generous Jamaicans abroad from sending medical aid home.
“For years, many in the Diaspora wanted to help but couldn’t overcome the high cost of shipping,” said Tinglin. “We plan to remove that barrier. Together, we are building a bridge of hope, from Jamaica to the world, and back home again.”
Clarke told The Gleaner that even with assistance from the NHEF, it costs more than US$7,000 to ship the current supplies to Jamaica.