The Heart Foundation of Jamaica

For the past 35 years the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) has focused its attention on the promotion of Heart Health Care throughout Jamaica. While much work has been accomplished through the health services provided to the public over the years Heart related diseases have nevertheless continued to be the number one killer of persons in Jamaica over and above death by other diseases and even from crime.

The foundation believes it is timely and critical to widen its work as a service provider to the broad-based Jamaican populace and alert them to the concerns, through our Health Education and Training Programme. However, to accomplish this goal the HFJ must expand and our existing premises at 30 Beechwood Avenue is extremely inadequate for the projected growth. Therefore the Foundation is seeking financial assistance to purchase a new building at a cost of $78.625million, which includes all the relevant closing costs and fixtures.

These major changes by the foundation are even more critical as the statistics published by the Ministry of Health points towards continued escalation of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which now poses a virtual threat to the health of the nation, and by extension, the workforce of the country. The following statistics spells out clearly our concerns. See statistics below:

Facts

Jamaica

- In 1999, CVD accounted for a third of global deaths
- In 1999, low and middle income countries contributed
78% of CVD deaths globally
- By 2010, CVD will be the leading cause of deaths in
developing countries

Leading Causes of Death
- CVD                                                  184/100,000
- Heart Disease                                84.0/100,000
- Cerebrovascular Diseases        64.6/100,000
- Hypertension                               32.0/100,000
- Diabetes                                          60.0/100,000
- Cancer                                            85.0/100,000
- Injuries                                          47.0/100,000

[MINISTRY OF HEALTH, JAMAICA]
Note: These statistics indicate non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases,
diabetes, obesity and cancer now accounts for 56% of deaths annually.

Normally the established government Health Care Systems would have undertaken the job of managing these health concerns, however with their limited resources and overburdened portfolio their attention has been primarily on post treatment and less on the importance of preventative measures such as education and screening.

This is where the Heart Foundation of Jamaica with a well-established base and highly reputable record to its name, has stepped up to fulfill the task of screening, training and educating the general public on heart related issues.

The figures below indicate the substantial increase in persons processed by the Foundation over the past 10 years.

Number of Persons using the services of the Heart Foundation

	1995	2005	Remarks
Heart Screening (ECG)	10, 879	15, 534	On location/Mobile Unit
Pharmacy	421	8, 548	On location
Basic & Advance CPR/First Aid	477	1, 730	Training at rental premises
Other Medical Services		32, 213	On location/Mobile Unit
TOTAL	11, 777	58, 025	400% increase over 10 years

Based on the above growth in numbers of persons processed the foundation is hard pressed to handle any additional service within the current premises, which is also in need of repairs with little or no room for expansion.

We would appreciate any financial support you may be able to give towards this venture. We can send a complete proposal outlining all the details of our Building Development Fund. Please call us today and discuss how you or your company could help with this worthwhile project.

Contact person: Deborah Chen, Executive Director