Heart Foundation

Project Summary: HEART Foundation
In 2005, approximately 1158 persons participated in Basic CPR, 117 persons participated in First Aid and 52 persons participated in Advanced Cardiac Life Support at the Heart Foundation of Jamaica. However the emergency Cardiac Care Training Programme of the Foundation was facing severe limitations with a chronic shortage of modern equipment.

The Digicel Foundation boosted the equipment and training needs of the Heart Foundation by financing the purchase of a heart display mannequin, used for training in breathing and chest compression techniques.

The mannequin comes fully equipped with a meter to detect skill of action, and also a heart rhythm generator to stimulate abnormal heart rates. Now the new equipment is an integral part of the Emergency Cardiac Care Programme designed to train doctors, nurses and other allied professionals in the immediate treatment and care of cardiac patients. Heart disease claims many lives in Jamaica each year and the new equipment has given a boost to caregivers who help patients from communities all across the country.