All Barbadians acknowledge that the Harrison’s Point facility is the focal centre for treatment of persons who are afflicted with the COVID–19 virus.
The residents at this facility are being cared for by a committed and dedicated team of health professionals. Hospital employees and health care providers are on the frontline in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic which has affected many.
It is therefore incumbent on all individuals to search for ways to provide the help and support that the professionals need, that is, apart from staying at home and following the protocols.
The Rotary Club of Barbados West is among those committed to assisting whenever and wherever possible. In January, with the assistance of Goddard Enterprises Limited, The Rotary Club provided a BBQ packaged lunch for the residents at the facility.
Recently, the Rotary Club went a step further in its civic commitment with the provision of 12 forty-nine-inch television sets, two play stations, four water dispensers and 12 mini refrigerators.
The donation from the Club came with the support from a number of private citizens. Additionally, in association with Luminsol Technologies Inc., the Club also upgraded the WIFI connectivity for the Harrison’s Point facility. All staff and residents at the facility will now have the benefit of more reliable and faster access to the internet.
This support which was provided demonstrated the Club’s ongoing support to the health sector in Barbados. Health is a major focus of Rotary’s activity.
Since Joe Steinbok’s year, every president of the Club has focused on health matters, thereby ensuring that to date it has provided more than $1.5 million in support to the QEH.
This has been followed closely by support to the education sector where the Rotary Club has provided scholarships for needy children who attend the University of the West Indies.
Since the start of the pandemic, computer equipment as well as hearing tests for primary school students has been provided. In association with BridgeTo and Scotia Bank, over 100 tablets have also been distributed.
The charitable work has been made possible by funds raised from two major sources. These are The Rotary West Diamonds International Sandy Lane Golf Classic as well as The Rotary Club West Bank of Nova Scotia Polo Classic. These activities have had to be postponed for the past two years due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, in spite of the nominal funds that were raised in the past year, the Club made a significant contribution to the Barbados Defence Force Field Hospital, provided needed medical equipment and supplies to the Geriatric Hospital, distributed over 100 food hampers to needy families and more recently also participated in the Government’s Care Package initiative. (PR)
