Cheer for kids at Port Maria Hospital

Christopher Serju, Gleaner Writer

PORT MARIA, St Mary:THE IMPORTANCE of ongoing collaboration between the public and private sectors in the delivery of effective public-health services was underscored during last Monday's donation of equipment to the Port Maria Hospital in St Mary. After giving toys to all patients on the children's ward, Santa Claus (Horace Tingle) then moved to the Outpatient Department where all youngsters also received stuffed toys, much to the delight of their parents.

Santa had much more in store, however, and the donation of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and a commode were a welcome gift for the hospital's administration and medical staff. Horace, his brother Hugh and their team had travelled from the neighbouring parish of St Ann to bring Christmas cheer, after hooking up with Marjorie Ramlal of the Shell service station in Oracabessa, St Mary, for the joint initiative.

A beaming director of nursing services, Linda Sutherland-Hines, was obviously moved by their kindness.

"It is a great help," she told The Gleaner. "We are never with enough and so every little we get does something for us, and in these hard times we really have to do things to help ourselves and with the community and the private sector coming in, it can only be better for us."

She explained that while the North Eastern Regional Health Authority has undertaken refurbishing of the operating theatre at a cost of $15 million to facilitate the delivery of minor surgeries, there was still the need for more financial aid.

"The greatest need right now would be assistance in furbishing our operating theatre. I am sure that regardless of how much the region or Government will give towards the project, there will always be need for more and we would welcome the help," she appealed.

overwhelming initiative

Meanwhile, chief executive officer, Althea Gardener, admitted to being overwhelmed by the impact of the initiative. "Just to see the look on the children's faces receiving their gifts. It actually tells you that people still do care and so I'm really happy," commented Gardener.

For general practitioner, Dr Michelle Facey, the timing of the gesture was especially significant. After touring the children's ward, she had this to say: "A lot of the community we serve is comprised of persons who are not rich, not the well-to-do. They might not really otherwise have a good Christmas. So for somebody to come and offer them a gift, it's really a nice thing."

However, according to Facey, this feel-good effect also impacts staff. "There are times when we want to do things and funds are limited. When somebody else comes and is willing to do it without expecting anything in return, that's just great," said Facey.

"We just want to give back to the community," Hugh Tingle told The Gleaner afterwards. He explained that this was a first-time effort by Tingle Distributors which handles local sales and distribution of the Liquid Nitro herbal energy drink. The company, he explained, was very impressed and somewhat surprised by how they and the donations were well received.

For this reason, there is an excellent chance of a strengthening of the relationship with the health facility. "We will definitely have to look into doing something bigger next year," he shared with The Gleaner, a sentiment Ramlal endorsed.

christopher.serju@gleanerjm.com

Full Caption

It was a happy occasion for all as CEO of the Port Maria Hospital, Althea Gardener (left), checks out some of the items donated by Tingle Distributors and the Oracabessa Shell service station with the assistance of Hugh Tingle on Monday, December 20. Also sharing in the presentation ceremony are from right (foreground) Director of Nursing Services Linda Sutherland-Hines, Dr Michelle Facey, Santa (Horace Tingle), Santa's helper Shelly-Ann Smith, Claudette Kemp who manages entertainer Capleton, while partially hidden is Marjorie Ramlal of Shell.- photos by Christopher Serjuwith the assistance of Hugh Tingle on Monday, December 20. Also sharing in the presentation ceremony are from right (foreground) Director of Nursing Services Linda Sutherland-Hines, Dr Michelle Facey, Santa (Horace Tingle), Santa's helper Shelly-Ann Smith, Claudette Kemp who manages entertainer Capleton, while partially hidden is Marjorie Ramlal of Shell.- photos by Christopher Serju