MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The imbalance in the ratio of patients with renal (kidney) failure able to access treatment consistently at public health facilities such as the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) is mere statistics for many.
The unemployed single mother identified rapid weight loss and occasional breathing problems among the symptoms of her deadly illness.
Kameka said that before she was able to access treatment at the MRH three years ago, she had to find $22,000 two days per week for treatment at a private facility in Kingston.
For Delroy Campbell, who has been waging a 13-year fight with kidney failure, the inability to afford dialysis has caused him to be hospitalised.
He told a gathering for a donation at the MRH recently that after two-and-a-half years of paying privately for treatment, he simply could not continue.
It was with those heartbreaking stories in mind, that John O Minott, general manager of Manchesterbased coffee company Jamaica Standard Products, presented $500,000 to the Haemodialysis Unit. The proceeds were courtesy of the organisation’s signature athletic event — the High Mountain Coffee 10K Road Race — and longstanding sponsor GlaxoSmithKline, through its Lucozade brand.
The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Alwyn Miller said the funds will be used to purchase supplies for the unit.
Currently, Kameka and Campbell, who have both lost relatives to the disease. are two of the 40 patients that can be accommodated at the MRH for treatment.
Miller said there are over 100 patients on the waiting list at the Haemodialysis Unit.
Over the last 30 years, organisers say, the High Mountain 10K Road Race has supported other organisations. This year, for the first time, the Mandeville Regional Hospital is the beneficiary.
“…The High Mountain Coffee Road Race Committee decided to do something that would impact the wide Manchester community. After brainstorming we settled on the Mandeville Hospital and the Dialysis Unit in particular. The cost to the MRH of this debilitating disease per patient per annum is a whopping $1.3 (million) … 1.3M per patient, so 40 patients is $52 million per annum for dialysis treatment only. The expense for the family must also be taken into consideration — transportation to the hospital twice per week, medical supplies, special foods…,” said Minott.
He said that despite the partnership with the Mandeville Regional Hospital, there is no substitute for a good kidney.
“The saying, ‘prevention is better than cure’ can be aptly applied here. It is better to engage in healthy lifestyle practices in order to avoid such high health-care costs. Exercise and eat right, take care of yourself. New research has shown that walking is just as effective as running, so persons are encouraged to participate in the Annual High Mountain Coffee Road Race 5K Walk in order to enhance a healthy lifestyle, thus preventing many illnesses...,” he said.
Miller endorsed the view.
“…We believe that the message needs to be very clear to the populace... While as a hospital it is our duty to assist patients with their health needs, it can be extremely difficult and expensive. Mr Minott, we trust that your company and all your sponsors will partner with the Ministry of Health in actively promoting healthy living,” he said.
The High Mountain Road Race, which usually takes place on the last Sunday in January, was born out of a desire not only to promote healthy lifestyle practices but to develop and enhance longdistance running, particularly among young athletes in schools, Minott said.
However, for Ceverain Kameka who was diagnosed with polycystic kidney failure four years ago, the daily challenges of living with the condition are very real.
Alwyn Miller (right) Chief Executive Officer of the Mandeville Regional Hospital accepts the cheque on behalf of the Haemodialysis Unit from John O Minott (centre) and Jackie Minott of Jamaica Standard Products.
Faye Bell, chairman of the Southern Regional Health Authority, with John O Minott of Jamaica Standard Products as he looks at his company’s newly installed nameplate at the Haemodialysis Unit at the Mandeville Regional Hospital.
Annette Salmon (left) Chief Marketing Consultant of 20Twenty Strategies and the High Mountain Coffee Road Race Committee shared lens time with haemodialysis patients (from left) Demar Hanson, Ceverain Kameka and Delroy Campbell.
     Alwyn Miller (right) Chief Executive Officer of the Mandeville Regional Hospital accepts the cheque on behalf of the Haemodialysis Unit from John O Minott (centre) and Jackie Minott of Jamaica Standard Products. #slideshowtoggler, #slideshowtoggler a, #slideshowtoggler img {filter:none !important;zoom:normal !important}  1/3  |
Kameka said that before she was able to access treatment at the MRH three years ago, she had to find $22,000 two days per week for treatment at a private facility in Kingston.
For Delroy Campbell, who has been waging a 13-year fight with kidney failure, the inability to afford dialysis has caused him to be hospitalised.
He told a gathering for a donation at the MRH recently that after two-and-a-half years of paying privately for treatment, he simply could not continue.
It was with those heartbreaking stories in mind, that John O Minott, general manager of Manchesterbased coffee company Jamaica Standard Products, presented $500,000 to the Haemodialysis Unit. The proceeds were courtesy of the organisation’s signature athletic event — the High Mountain Coffee 10K Road Race — and longstanding sponsor GlaxoSmithKline, through its Lucozade brand.
The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Alwyn Miller said the funds will be used to purchase supplies for the unit.
Currently, Kameka and Campbell, who have both lost relatives to the disease. are two of the 40 patients that can be accommodated at the MRH for treatment.
Miller said there are over 100 patients on the waiting list at the Haemodialysis Unit.
Over the last 30 years, organisers say, the High Mountain 10K Road Race has supported other organisations. This year, for the first time, the Mandeville Regional Hospital is the beneficiary.
“…The High Mountain Coffee Road Race Committee decided to do something that would impact the wide Manchester community. After brainstorming we settled on the Mandeville Hospital and the Dialysis Unit in particular. The cost to the MRH of this debilitating disease per patient per annum is a whopping $1.3 (million) … 1.3M per patient, so 40 patients is $52 million per annum for dialysis treatment only. The expense for the family must also be taken into consideration — transportation to the hospital twice per week, medical supplies, special foods…,” said Minott.
He said that despite the partnership with the Mandeville Regional Hospital, there is no substitute for a good kidney.
“The saying, ‘prevention is better than cure’ can be aptly applied here. It is better to engage in healthy lifestyle practices in order to avoid such high health-care costs. Exercise and eat right, take care of yourself. New research has shown that walking is just as effective as running, so persons are encouraged to participate in the Annual High Mountain Coffee Road Race 5K Walk in order to enhance a healthy lifestyle, thus preventing many illnesses...,” he said.
Miller endorsed the view.
“…We believe that the message needs to be very clear to the populace... While as a hospital it is our duty to assist patients with their health needs, it can be extremely difficult and expensive. Mr Minott, we trust that your company and all your sponsors will partner with the Ministry of Health in actively promoting healthy living,” he said.
The High Mountain Road Race, which usually takes place on the last Sunday in January, was born out of a desire not only to promote healthy lifestyle practices but to develop and enhance longdistance running, particularly among young athletes in schools, Minott said.