The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman recently donated two fetal heart monitors to the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) Maternity Ward.

The machines were presented to the Maternity Unit by past and present Rotarians Eric Bush, Chris Bailey and Gregg Anderson.

Mr Eric Bush, Past President of The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman said it has been a long road to get these machines. “The fundraising for the fetal monitors started while I was President of Rotary Club and we are delighted to be presenting these today”, Mr Bush stated. “Rotary is an international organization and as a joint effort to raise funds, we teamed up with the Rotary Club of Denver for this initiative”.

“In addition to donating the machines, Rotary is looking for ways to best leverage this technology here in Cayman”, stated Mr Bush.

Both machines are portable and one can monitor twins as well as the mother’s heartbeat simultaneously.

Mrs. Lizzette Yearwood, HSA Chief Executive Officer said she is delighted to have these new machines in the Maternity Ward.

“With approximately 650 births in our maternity unit every year, it is important to have the appropriate equipment,” Mrs. Yearwood said. “Having portable devices such as these means they can easily be moved from room to room as they are needed. As part of the birthing process it is important to monitor not only the mother’s heartbeat, but also the unborn baby. These machines are truly invaluable to this hospital.”

PHOTO: (L to r): Dr Earl Robinson, Paediatrician; Dr Gillian Belfonte, OB/GYN; Chris Bailey, Rotary Director of PR; Eric Bush, Past President of Rotary; Gregg Anderson, Past Chair of Community Service’ Midwife Karen Rowden, Shannon Hydes, Nurse Manager of Maternity; Lizzette Yearwood, HSA Chief Executive Officer

Related story:

Cayman Heart Fund donates ECG machine to HSA

The Cayman Heart Fund (CHF) recently donated a new Electrocardiogram (ECG) machine to the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA). The new state-of-the-art machine has an LCD screen which allows the physician to easily preview critical information on screen.

Cayman Heart Fund Board of Directors presented this machine to Mrs. Lizzette Yearwood, HSA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Delroy Jefferson, HSA Medical Director, along with other Senior Managers and staff in Accident and Emergency.

An ECG machine is a minimally intrusive machine that measures a patient’s heart rate and identifies irregularities. It can also detect the size and location of the heart chambers to see if there is any current damage to the heart.

Mr. David Dinner, Chairman of the Cayman Heart Fund said he was honoured to be donating this machine to the HSA. “Cardiovascular disease is currently the number one health problem in the Cayman Islands, so we know this machine will get a lot of use. The Cayman Heart Fund’s goal is to help prevent heart disease and one way of doing so is through early detection with machines such as this”, Mr Dinner stated.

“In addition, as a not-for-profit organization, one of CHF’s missions is to improve cardiac care facilities and equipment in our local hospitals and we will give back as much as we can”, Mr Dinner stated.

Mrs Lizzette Yearwood, HSA CEO said that the donation of the equipment fills a need at the hospital. “With the number of ECG tests performed each year in A&E at the Cayman Islands Hospital, it is extremely helpful to have this new machine”, Mrs Yearwood stated. “Having an ECG machine in A&E means we can provide our patients with a faster, more efficient patient experience.”

For more information about the Cayman Heart Fund, visit www.caymanheartfund.com. Visit the HSA website www.hsa.ky our latest news and services.