The Musson Group of Companies contributed $5 million to the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica’s contribution to the nation’s fight against the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

The companies General Accident (Jamaica) Limited, Seprod and T. Geddes Grant, made up the donation.

Sharon Donaldson, Managing Director of General Accident, expressed that playing a part in curtailing the spread of the novel virus was a privilege.

“As a company with over 90 years of history in Jamaica, we are charged to contribute to health and wellness especially within this crisis,” Donaldson shared. “It is in our best interests to encourage public-private partnerships that are to the betterment of all.”

The business lobby group committed $150 million, enough to purchase 40 ventilators for hospitals selected by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) to handle people infected with the virus. The lifesaving equipment will assist the Government with some of the resources needed to effectively manage the cases, which now number 19.

“The PSOJ has been actively supporting the Government of Jamaica with the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for ventilators was identified as a critical area of the public health response. We saw this as a very important initiative around which to rally the private sector, to save as many Jamaican lives as possible. We’re happy that our stakeholders have come on board and have so far pledged $150 million,” a news release quoted PSOJ President Keith Duncan as saying.

“As the Government works tirelessly to combat the threat of the coronavirus, we continue to emphasise and embrace the strength of community,” said Dr Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness. “The ministry extends heartfelt gratitude to the PSOJ and its members for their contribution to our efforts in protecting the lives and interest of every Jamaican citizen.