J Wray & Nephew Limited recently donated 76 hospital beds and mattresses valued at approximately $6.8 million to six major hospitals across the island as part of the company’s 190th anniversary celebrations.

The handover of the beds was made during a ceremony at Food For The Poor Jamaica’s headquarters at Ellerslie Pen, St Catherine.

The health institutions benefitting from this donation, according to a release to the media, are Kingston Public Hospital, Spanish Town Hospital, Cornwall Regional Hospital, May Pen Hospital, St Ann’s Bay Hospital, and Mandeville Regional Hospital. Commending J Wray & Nephew Limited for its vital contribution to the health sector, Minister of Health Horace Dalley stated: “The demand for bed space at our health facilities is great.

In December 2015 there was a total of 4,084 in-patients across the island. Therefore, this donation will go a far way in assisting with ensuring that we have adequate beds to accommodate our patients.”

“We welcome this partnership with the private sector as we continue to work towards strengthening the health sector in many ways,” he added.

Clement ‘Jimmy’ Lawrence, managing director of J Wray & Nephew Limited, was especially pleased that, as part of its tradition of giving back, the company was able to play a part in alleviating the challenges currently being faced by the public health sector.

“Our company recognises the critical role of investing in areas of national development, and the health sector is of paramount importance in this regard.

We are delighted to be able to provide these beds, thereby increasing the capacity of the recipient hospitals and filling an existing need of our primary care providers across the island.”

All 76 beds are semi-electric, which means they are able to be adjusted with and without an electrical source. The initiative was carried out in partnership with Food For The Poor Jamaica, which sourced the beds ensuring that they met international specifications.

J Wray & Nephew Limited’s 190th yearlong anniversary celebrations will continue until June 2016 and the company will continue its community outreach during this time, giving particular attention to the areas of community development, education, sports, and health.