Hello Jah Works fans! I spent last week in Black River, Jamaica considered “Ground Zero” of the Hurricane Melissa disaster zone. I am a pediatrics nurse with Johns Hopkins, and I went with a group (not Hopkins affiliated) called International Medical Relief to support the Black River Hospital Staff. Black River was demolished by the storm, and staff rescued all 9 pediatric inpatients through a broken window during the storm.

It was an incredible week, but I learned there is much more work to be done! Between now and when a new facility can be constructed, the paediatrics team needs a flexible and portable way to see their patients for clinic visits!

I am working with Dr. Allison Isaacs (Black River peds attending) and Nurse Mighty (Black River peds nurse) on this project and the plan is endorsed by the Chief Paediatrician of Black River Hospital Dr. Aggrey Sajabi.

The "suitcase clinics" will each cost around $4,000 and will consist of a:

*Transcutaneous Bilirubinometer (~$1,500 each)

*Portable infant scale with stadiometer (~$400 each)

*Vital sign machine with peds BP and Pulse Oximeter capability (~$500 each)

*Otoscope/Opthalmoscope (~$400 each)

Plus glucometer, nebulizer machine, MUAC tapes, rapid read thermometers, and a new Harriet Lane Handbook. Any extra funds will purchase infant and children multivitamins.)

Thank you deeply for your consideration!