Prince Michael tours Mona Rehab, lauds Jamaica's progress in Olympics

Jodi-Ann Gilpin, Gleaner Writer

The faces of disabled persons at the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre in Mona were lit with excitement, as Prince Michael of Kent did a comprehensive tour of the facility.

The prince, who is on a five-day visit to the country, was especially impressed after viewing a training session of the Jamaica Paralympic Association Team, which included gold medallist Alphanso Cunningham.

His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, a road-safety advocate of international repute, is visiting Jamaica as a special guest of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) during the council's 20th anniversary celebrations.

He commended the NRSC and staff of the rehabilitation centre for strides to promote road safety and urged that the country make road safety a priority and continue to find creative ways of enhancing development.

"The drive you have here is remarkable and there is a lot of progress that is being made in Jamaica not only in road safety but in other areas, especially Olympics," he said

"I would hope that what is said here will not fall on deaf ears, but that we continue to find sources of revenue to continue the work that is being done in building sustainable partnerships," he added.

Exercise caution on streets

In the meantime, Dr Fenton Ferguson, minister of health, welcomed the prince, along with his delegation, and called on Jamaicans to exercise caution when on the streets.

"The health sector supports the work of the NRSC because road accidents have become a burden to the health system and significantly affect the productivity capacity of individuals and families," said the minister.

He said the NRSC had been working tirelessly to keep road accidents below 300, but there was more to be done. "I, therefore, call on us to play our part as we continue to work assiduously to promote the significance of road safety," he charged.