Monique Hepburn, News Editor
Left: Owner of MoBay Hope Medical Centre in Montego Bay, Sydney Engel, discusses business with MoBay Hope administrator, Judith-Ann Farmer.
Right: Sylvia and Sydney Engel: We are hoping to raise sufficient money to expand. - PHOTOS BY CLAUDINE HOUSEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE MOBAY Hope Medical Centre in Rose Hall, St. James, is a unique innovation in Jamaica, featuring non-profit diagnostic and treatment care on a fee for service basis.
Borne out of a near-tragic situation, the facility has come to be a symbol of voluntarism and goodwill.
Twenty-two years ago, American philanthropists Sydney and Sylvia Engel came to Jamaica to oversee renovations to a recently-purchased house in Montego Bay. Mr. Engles was struck with a heart attack and was rushed to a facility in the city.
"We had to wait a long time and we noticed that the doctors, though they were very good, had very little quality equipment to work with," Mrs. Engel told The Gleaner. "We then said that it would be good if we started a facility that was equipped with excellent machines."
After scores of fund-raising events, MoBay Hope became a reality in December 1997 with the assistance of the Half Moon Hotel, American Friends of Jamaica and private donations from Americans and Jamaicans.
"Half Moon has been kind. They provided the space for the facility, which we managed to equip. We were fortunate that we were able to get some grant money from the South Miami Hospital and the Baptist Hospital in Florida.
"To date, we have one of the best equipped facilities doing a range of services nobody else does. Our patient-base extends to Ocho Rios, Negril and Savanna-la-Mar. We are hoping to raise sufficient money to expand. We want to increase the number of rooms and medical officers."
HIGH STANDARDS
Mr. Engel offered high commendation for the medical team and support personnel at MoBay Hope, whom he says go all out to maintain the facility's high standards.
Since 1997, MoBay Hope has forged synergies with other institutions abroad to ensure quality patient care and staff training.
Their collaboration with the South Miami Hospital enables them to provide what is called the blockbuster heart medication that treat sufferers of a heart attack coupled with a non-bleeding stroke.
VOLUNTEERS WELCOMED
As part of their future projections, the Engels hope that the facility will be able to benefit even more from volunteers, which they say are always
welcomed.
Mr. Engel, a builder of low-cost housing solutions, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, is actively involved in the charity work of American Friends of Jamaica.
Mrs. Engel, once a research bacteriologist, is a member of the Anti-Defamation League and President of Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organisation of America, whose members are motivated and inspired to strengthen their partnership with Israel, ensure Jewish continuity, and realise their potential as a dynamic force in American society.
The couple has been married for 58 years and maintains homes in New York and Montego Bay.
