UHWI NICU receives pulse oximeters from Kiwanis New Kingston

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) has received a valuable donation of three pulse oximeters with neonatal probes and a reclining chair for its Parents’ Room. The gifts were provided by the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston.

The pulse oximeters will enhance the NICU team's ability to monitor oxygen saturation and heart rates in vulnerable newborns requiring specialized care. The reclining chair offers a more comfortable space for parents who spend extended periods at the hospital while their babies undergo treatment, allowing them to remain close.

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Caring for our newborns requires close and continuous monitoring, and equipment such as these pulse oximeters supports our team in providing that care. The NICU journey can also be incredibly difficult for parents, who may spend long periods at the hospital while their babies receive treatment. Having a reclining chair in the Parents’ Room gives families a more comfortable space while allowing them to remain close to their babies.

Dr. Jillian Lewis, a consultant neonatologist at UHWI, highlighted the importance of the donation. She stated that the equipment is crucial for close monitoring of newborns and acknowledged the emotional toll on parents. "The NICU journey can also be incredibly difficult for parents, who may spend long periods at the hospital while their babies receive treatment," Dr. Lewis said. "Having a reclining chair in the Parents’ Room gives families a more comfortable space while allowing them to remain close to their babies."

Veronica Taylor Smellie, president of the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston, emphasized the club's commitment to making a tangible difference. "For us, this is about making a tangible difference where it is needed," Taylor Smellie said. "The pulse oximeters will assist the medical team in caring for some of the hospital’s smallest and most vulnerable patients, and we also wanted to consider the parents who spend long hours here with their babies. We are pleased to be able to contribute to the work of the NICU."

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For us, this is about making a tangible difference where it is needed. The pulse oximeters will assist the medical team in caring for some of the hospital’s smallest and most vulnerable patients, and we also wanted to consider the parents who spend long hours here with their babies. We are pleased to be able to contribute to the work of the NICU.