Sandals SVG donates essential equipment to Milton Cato Memorial Hospital

The Paediatric Department at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) has received critical medical equipment valued at a little over £100,000. This donation was garnered from funds raised through the successful staging of the Sandals Foundation Island Challenge in October, 2024, a release from Sandals SVG states.

Representatives from the Ministry of Health; the MCMH, including staff of the Paediatric Department; and the SVG Tourism Authority, join volunteers and administrative staff from Sandals SVG for a group photo outside the hospital following the hand-over.

The equipment includes two incubators; one infant warmer; one ultrasound machine with a paediatric echocardiography probe; three SP02 monitors; and syringe pumps.

Paediatrician/Neurologist at the MCMH, Dr Mishka Duncan-Adams said these items “will make an immediate change in our ability to care for infants requiring specialized treatment. The tools provided will improve how we manage critical cases, allowing us to deliver high-quality, timely care to the most vulnerable members of our community”.

The Department manages neonates, and children up to 15 years old, on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Annually, there are between 600 – 700 children admitted to the Paediatric Department, 140 babies to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and just over 1,000 to the maternity ward.

“It’s all about ensuring that families have access to life-saving care when they need it most. The right medical equipment can mean the difference between uncertainty and hope, between struggle and survival.

“At the Sandals Foundation, we believe that investing in healthcare is investing in life itself, strengthening the very foundation of a country’s future,” Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation Heidi Clarke, is quoted in the release as saying.

“We are incredibly proud to support the dedicated team at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital with the tools they need to deliver specialized care to vulnerable infants. This is what true Caribbean connection looks like, coming together to uplift communities, strengthen healthcare systems, and create lasting change for generations to come.”

The Sandals Foundation Island Challenge brought together over 30 athletes from the United Kingdom (UK) and St Vincent and the Grenadines, who completed a gruelling four-day journey of running and kayaking across the islands to raise funds for the initiative. Thanks to their dedication and the generous support of local and UK sponsors and partners, including the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and the Environment; the SVG Tourism Authority; Team Athletics SVG; and a team from Unique Vacations UK Ltd., an affiliate of the worldwide sales and marketing representatives for Sandals Resorts, over £100,000 for the paediatric initiative.