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Infrastructure work at the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, in Westmoreland, to repair damage sustained during the passage of Hurricane Melissa, has received a boost, courtesy of a donation from the Embassy of Jamaica in Tokyo, Japan.

The cheque, valued at US$2,831.37 or approximately J$450,000, was handed over by Former Ambassador of Jamaica to Japan, Her Excellency Shorna-Kay Richards, during a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Kingston, on Thursday.

The donation was raised through the Embassy’s participation in the 2025 Annual Charity Bazaar, organised by the Japan-Latin America and Caribbean Ladies’ Association during Ambassador Richards’ tenure.

It is intended to support rehabilitation efforts at the hospital, including works relating to roofing and window structures, which were significantly impacted during the passage of the hurricane on October 28, 2025.

The cheque was received by Director of Operations and Maintenance at the Western Regional Health Authority, Michelle-Ann Whyte-Chapman.

Former Ambassador of Jamaica to Japan, Her Excellency Shorna-Kay Richards (left); Acting Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ambassador Esmond Reid; and Director of Operations and Maintenance at the Western Regional Health Authority, Michelle-Ann Whyte-Chapman, display cheque during a handover ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Kingston on Thursday (May 14). The donation has been made to the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital from the Jamaican Embassy in Japan. – Photo: Danielle Myers

“We want to express our sincere appreciation for the contribution made to the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital towards infrastructural improvement at the facility. It is most timely and most welcome, and it will go a far way in our efforts as we continue to rebuild a more resilient facility to support the people of Western Jamaica,” she noted.

Whyte-Chapman said that infrastructural work is already under way at the facility and should be completed soon.

“So those efforts will continue as we continue to expand the services and the infrastructure to better serve the communities,” the Operations Director added.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has indicated that additional bed spaces will be added to the Hospital, while the operating theatres will be upgraded.

The construction of a private ward, through a public-private partnership is also being explored by the Ministry.

— JIS