As promised last week, Food For The Poor (FFP) has officially handed over the first batch of paracetamol and acetaminophen tablets to the Ministry of Health to distribute among needy Jamaicans across the island, infected with the chikungunya virus.

The handover, which included 1,600 bottles of tablets, took place on Tuesday at FFP's Chapel in Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St Catherine. The tablets are valued at US$7,040. They were purchased for Jamaicans by Food For The Poor Florida.

In addition to the paracetamol and acetaminophen tablets which were handed over, approximately 3,000 bottles of repellent and more than 6,000 more bottles of paracetamol will be brought into the island in two shipments by FFP and will be handed over to the Ministry of Health for distribution. One of these shipments contains 5,400 bottles of paracetamol and acetaminophen tablets, valued at US$27,060.

Collecting the tablets, Heath Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson said it came as no surprise to him when FFP offered to assist the Ministry of Health in its fight against chikungunya.

"It was only two months ago that I was here receiving IV fluids from Food For The Poor, after Jamaica was impacted by a worldwide shortage. This is one of several unrequested donations made over the years by Food For The Poor," Dr Ferguson said.

David Mair, Executive Director, FFP Jamaica, said with the vast number of Jamaicans complaining of being infected with the virus and the possibility of many more becoming infected, the charity organisation had to purchase and donate drugs needed for treatment.