Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

Saffrey Brown (right), general manager of the Jamaica National Building Society Foundation, cuts the ribbon at the handover of a generator to the Linstead Hospital on Tuesday. She is being assisted by Dr Kolaiah Katiagadda, the hospital's chief medical officer, while Helen Brooks, the hospital's chief executive officer, looks on. - Junior Dowie

Spanish Town

Custos of St Catherine, the Honourable Sophia Azan, said that if persons affiliated with the Linstead Hospital launched a dollar drive, this could help to save the institution and return it to its former glory.

She was speaking at the handover ceremony of a generator to the institution on Tuesday. She told the gathering that now that the donation had been made, the challenge would be for it to be properly maintained.

"I think if the committee starts a dollar drive, it can work, and by the end of the year, there will be money to do other things to the hospital. I can remember coming here to have my first child, who died as a result of not having any incubator," remarked Azan.

She thanked the groups which had got together to get the generator - Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation, businessman Telbert Roberts and all parties who had been working to keep the Linstead Hospital running.

In response, Saffrey Brown, JNBS Foundation's general manager, said defibrillators would also be donated to the hospital. Other medical institutions would benefit from JNBS Foundation's generosity as well.

"Persons, such as drivers, porters and others having anything to do with patients, are now being trained in collaboration with HEART for them to assist, in case there is the need," she said.

She added that this new drive by JNBS Foundation came about as a result of an incident some years ago when a patient collapsed, and even though the ambulance arrived quickly, no one knew how to use the defibrillator.

Persons told THE STAR that they were thankful for the gesture to contribute to the continued maintenance of the Linstead Hospital.

Other improvements slated to take place are the repairing of the nurses' quarters and the accident and emergency section. There are also plans to restore electricity to the nearby Linstead Health Centre.