Charitable health initiatives supported by the Sandals Foundation – the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International – provided care worth almost $7 million in 2018.
The Sandals Foundation works with volunteer organisation Great Shape! Inc. on two long-running schemes in the Caribbean – the 1000 Smiles dental project and iCARE eye programme.
During its 16th year in 2018, the 1000 Smiles dental project helped more than 26,000 people in Saint Lucia, Jamaica and Grenada.
The overall project had a value of about $4.6 million.
Treatments included dentures, fillings, screenings for oral cancer and dental hygiene advice.
In its 10th year, the iCARE programme helped more than 8,000 people in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos, with an overall projected donated value of $2.12 million.
The eye care services included cataract surgery and laser surgery to prevent diabetic blindness.