...addressing the
challenges
to Neonatal Intensive
Care Units
(NICU) in Jamaica

Making a Difference

During Dr. Drummond’s time at Cornwall Regional Hospital, significant improvement in the survival of babies, especially premature babies previously classified as non-viable, was documented.

Survival of Jamaica's first 24-week gestational-aged baby occurred at Cornwall Regional Hospital, six months after the start of Dr. Drummond’s tenure at that hospital.

Her success with improved survival of periviable neonates continued throughout her time at the hospital.

Babies born at 24-weeks gestational-age in the United States, have had a steady increase in survival rates since the 1970's,

to a present day average survival rate of 60% in most hospitals across the United States, when optimal care is delivered.

Progress through Cooperation

Since its inception, the organization has been offering NICU care - through mission trips to Jamaica - by partnering with local government run hospitals.

Though these short trips made a notable impact, it was apparent that a more sustained approach was required to achieve a significant impact in lowering the NMR and improving the survival of this country’s vulnerable newborn population.

As such, in March 2016, the founder and director of International NICU Care (Dr. Shelley Drummond) made the unconventional move to return to her home country to work in a local Type A hospital (Cornwall Regional Hospital, Montego Bay, Jamaica).

About Us

Who We Are

International NICU Care is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Miami, Florida.

The organization was founded in 2013 by Dr. Shelley Drummond,

a Neonatologist with medical school training in her birth country of Jamaica,

and sub-specialty training at Jackson Memorial Hospital / University of Miami.

The organization’s goal is to address the challenge in Jamaica,

of underdeveloped Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and

an unacceptably high Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR).

Neonatal Intensive Care

We intend to develop a state of the art Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Negril, Jamaica; fully staffed with Neonatologist, Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, Neonatal ICU Trained Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, and the peripheral support of a Pediatric Surgeon, Radiologist and Ophthalmologist.

Maternal Care

The Feto-Maternal Unit will offer gold standard obstetric care, with the support of US Board Certified obstetricians, midwives, and labor and delivery nurses.

There will be an Antenatal Clinic for prenatal visits, and operating room for emergency cesarean sections.

Post delivery moms and babies will practice rooming-in, to facilitate bonding, breast-feeding, and newborn care (which will be done in the nursery).