Friends Of Jamaica USA

In 2002, I taught my first Neonatal Resuscitation classes at Sav Hospital with Dr. Everton Hylton. 7 years later I am reaping the benefits of my early efforts by bringing the project full circle – the program will be ready for Jamaica to take over this week after we deliver the remaining equipment to the North East and South East Health Authority Regions.

Once again, Air Jamaica came through for me by waiving the charges for 8 extra pieces of luggage! I was concerned, because my Air Jamaica rep’s position had been eliminated since my last trip. He always took care of everything. The person he referred me to before he left also had been eliminated! As you know, the airline is closer every day to being sold. My only choice was to contact the main US office and hope for the best.

The first hurdle was cleared – no problem, mon.  I sent off the fax with the request and a copy of the duty waiver request and had a phone call within 3 days from the Miami office – “your request has been approved and your reservation is marked for the extra pieces.” I knew the flight was full, so I was surprised but very pleased. Once the airline is sold, everything might change, so I am thankful the end of the project has come before the sale.

There was a lot of confusion in the Ministry of Health despite many emails detailing my itinerary, arrival information and the request for the waiver weeks before my travel date. I think they do better when the request comes only a week before my travel date – go figure that I was organized enough to get the request in early, and it created the most problems.

The night before my departure, I spent almost an hour, while I was trying to pack, calling and emailing and texting the various people involved in the delivery of the equipment. Because I was flying into Kingston, I wasn’t as worried about being stuck for hours in customs, waiting for the waiver. We could always deal with it later.

Clearing customs went smoothly, and I only had to pay duty on a projector bulb for a school because of miscommunication with the Ministry.  The price for paper work and the stamp has gone up to $1,200J from $700J. I was reminded of the saying “when the US sneezes, Jamaica gets a cold” referring to the financial woes in the US and its effect on Jamaica.

Speaking of Jamaica and a cold – we had a medical emergency on the plane – my first in all these years of flying back and forth. A young boy fainted and had a seizure, and his mother fainted from the stress. When the request came for a doctor or nurse, I headed to the back, but there were enough nurses there already so I didn’t become involved. The flight was cleared for immediate landing with medical personnel there to meet us. It reminded me of when I used to fly in helicopters as a transport nurse in the NICU – we were coming in “hot” – fast and steep. We landed half and hour before schedule! The mother and her son walked off the plane, which we were all relieved to see.

As we entered immigration, were met by airport staff handing out cards regarding possible exposure to H1N1 flu to give to our physician if we become sick in the next 14 days. I’m not sure if that is standard procedure right now for all incoming flights, or if it was because of the sick boy. I’m inclined to think our flight had everyone on alert, because the longer we were in customs, the more masks appeared on customs agents. I happened to have masks among the donated medical supplies, which one worker saw and asked to have one. I gave him 2.

Mr. Battiese, who meets me with the duty waiver when I clear customs was already there – I was relieved to hear when I called him. When I told him about the sick boy, I explained that the kind of masks I was bringing wouldn’t offer any protection from H1N1 – the virus will go right through the mask when you breathe because it is so small. I don’t think he was convinced.

I was distressed by all the baggage handlers, maintenance staff and various people outside the airport that insisted on moving our baggage without being asked. Even when i said “We have it, thankyou.” They all want a tip, regardless of whether I ask them for help, tell them I don’t want help — nothing I say makes a difference. It costs a small fortune to get to and away from the airport. We had a total of 13 pieces of luggage.

This picture doesn’t do it justice, but it gives you an idea why so many people wanted to help. ($$) All the pieces in this photo hold the equipment for the regions and additional donated medical supplies. Our personal luggage is not pictured here.

Coming next – over the mountains to Annotto Bay for the first equipment presentation.