The Heart Institute of the Caribbean (HIC) is to donate $1 million in electrocardiograms to the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA).

The donation is to be evenly distributed to teachers throughout the island.

The official donation is scheduled to take place next Monday, during Education Week at the JTA's Kingston head offices.

DaCosta Bartley, senior vice-president/administrator of the HIC, said that, in addition to this new gift, the institute will be offering additional discounts of 10 per cent to educators in Jamaica on any follow-up services needed.

Huge impact

"Heart disease has a huge impact on our society; it is responsible for approximately 56 per cent of hospital deaths in Jamaica. An electrocardiogram is one of the first steps in diagnosing heart disease so that it may be treated and managed in an effective and efficient manner," said Mr. Bartley.

He indicated that this donation is one of many community initiatives that the HIC would be announcing within the next few months.

"An extremely valuable and conscientious initiative that will help to save the lives of many teachers" is how JTA President Hopeton Henry has described the HIC/ECG donation.