FOOD FOR THE POOR DONATES TABLETS TO MINISTRY OF HEALTH TO HELP FIGHT CHIKUNGUNYA - News Release - October 14, 2014

THANK YOU, FFP: Mr. David Mair (right), Executive Director of Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, was very happy to present the Minister of Health, The Honourable Dr. Fenton Ferguson (second right) with paracetamol tablets during a handing over ceremony on October 14 at the charity’s office in St. Catherine. Also participating in the presentation were representatives from the Ministry of Health (from left), Dr. Kevin Harvey, Acting Permanent Secretary and Dr. Lundie Richards, Director of Health Services.

NEWS RELEASE
Kingston, Jamaica - October 14, 2014: As promised last week, Food For The Poor (FFP) has officially handed over the first batch of paracetamol and acetaminophen tablets to the Ministry of Health to distribute amongst needy Jamaicans across the island infected with the chikungunya virus.

The handover, which included one thousand six hundred bottles of tablets, took place today October 14 at FFP’s Chapel located in Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town. The tablets are valued at US$7,040. They were purchased for Jamaicans by Food For The Poor Florida.

In addition to the paracetamol and acetaminophen tablets which were handed over today, approximately 3,000 bottles of repellents and over 6,000 more bottles of paracetamol will be brought into the island in two shipments by FFP and will be handed over to the Ministry of Health for distribution amongst needy Jamaicans in three to four weeks. One of these shipments contains five thousand four hundred bottles of paracetamol and acetaminophen tablets, valued at US$27,060.

Present to collect the tablets on the nation’s behalf was The Honourable Dr. Fenton Ferguson, Minister of Health.

Before collecting the tablets, Dr. Ferguson said it came as no surprise to him when FFP offered to assist the Ministry of Health in its fight against the chikungunya virus.

“It was only two months ago that I was here receiving IV fluids from Food for the Poor after Jamaica was impacted by a worldwide shortage. Having realized that there was a need in the health sector, Food for the Poor reacted immediately and through its Florida offices provided a stock of these supplies to our public health facilities. This is one of several unrequested donations made over the years by Food for the Poor,” Dr. Ferguson said at the start of his address at the handing over of the medication.

He further stated, “In 2013, the agency donated 86 containers of medical items to the health sector with a value of close to $3.4 billion Jamaican. It came as no surprise to me, therefore, when the charity offered to assist the Ministry of Health in its efforts to manage the chikungunya virus.”

Mr. David Mair, Executive Director, FFP Jamaica, officially handed over the paracetamol and acetaminophen tablets.

According to him, with the vast number of Jamaicans complaining of being infected with the virus and the possibility of many more becoming infected, the charity organization had to purchase and donate drugs needed for treatment.

“We are delighted to partner with the Ministry of Health once more, as we continue in our effort to serve our less fortunate brothers and sisters across the island. With this donation of acetaminophen and paracetamol tablets, we hope to assist the population with the fight against the chikungunya virus. The tablets were acquired through our head office in Florida to be distributed amongst needy Jamaicans who have chikungunya,” Mr. Mair said during his address.

This donation of paracetamol and acetaminophen tablets were purchased and shipped to Jamaica within two weeks of FFP officials meeting with officials from the Ministry of Health on October 1.

-end-

For more information, please contact:

Ainsworth Morris, PROComm, Tel: 926-6740 or 375-6136
Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor Jamaica, Tel: 907-3664 or 564-2886