Airlift mission brings needed supplies to Jamaica

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Lou Burton
  • 911th Public Affairs
JAMAICA --  The 758th Operations Group and 911th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron assisted in delivering over 12,000 pounds of medical supplies to the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, Jamaica through the Denton relief aid program April 20-22.
"The Denton program allows organizations to use space available on military aircraft to deliver humanitarian aid at no cost. This is only possible if it coincides with a mission, like the training we [911th AES] conducted this weekend," said Lt. Colonel Barbara A. Nist, Aeromedical Training Nurse with the 911th AES.
Donated medical goods and services were collected by Children's Medical Services International, a nonprofit organization, which usesprofessional and nonprofessional volunteers as well as donated medical goods and services to foster worldwide health care of children, said Twiggy Munford, Secretary and Treasurer for CMSI.
"Thus far, CMSI has worked primarily with health officials in Jamaica and specifically with Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, as well as Westhaven Home for disabled children in that area," said Ms. Munford.
The distressing mixture of crime and poverty has stifled the Jamaican nationals and contributed to a disparaging health care system. According to the World Health organization, "in Jamaica 59 percent of people with chronic diseases experience financial difficulties and a high proportion avoided some medical treatment as a result."
A lack of proper medical attention and prenatal care has lead to a 25 percent mortality rate in children from birth to age five, according to the Pan American Health Organization. The majority of these deaths are a result of treatable conditions like influenza, pneumonia and nutritional deficiencies.
"In the past medical doctors and specialists have also donated their time and money to accompany us to Jamaica to train, to learn, and to actually work with medical staffs there. CMSI is also fortunate to have warehouse space and transportation companies assist in storage and delivery of the relief aid materials," said Ms. Munford.
"This and two other monumental shipments would not have been possible based on our tiny treasury, were it not for the U.S.AID/Denton Program and the 911th Airlift Wing," said Ms. Munford.