Four donate funds, supplies to QEH

by Shamar Blunt

Organisations from both the public and private sectors, are being encouraged to give generously and donate much needed items and funds to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, as the institution continuously seeks to raise their level of service.

These comments came from Director of Nursing Services at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Henderson Pinder, after the QEH received various donations from four organizations – Western Wholesale Inc., Hospital Taxi Association, Robinson Hopes and Smiles and Beacon Insurance on Thursday, in support of the well-being of the hospital’s staff, as well as funds directed to the furnishing of the soon to be completed Accident and Emergency Department.

After expressing his thanks to the companies for their generosity, Pinder challenged other organisations to come on board and also donate to the QEH where possible.

“I would like to challenge other corporate business entities out there, you don’t have to be the big entities, but one can understand that in order for this institution to function well, there are other entities that must play their part in the community and at the institution to ensure that we achieve our goals,” he said.

Board member of the Robinson Smiles and Hope Foundation, Anthony Layne, said the organisation was dedicated to assisting the QEH wherever possible, with them not only donating Medical Supplies in the amount of BDS$34, 000 on Thursday, but also close to BDS$244,000 worth of supplies over the last year.

“Over the past 5 years, we would have made significant donations to the QEH and to other entities in Barbados, [and] over the last 12 months we would have made a donation of over US$122,000 to the [QEH], so we are very pleased to be here to make this donation. Robinson Smiles and Hope Foundation continues to support the QEH and other entities in Barbados,” Layne said.

Members of the Hospital Taxi Association also donated $2 500 towards the furnishing of the Accident and Emergency Department Staff Lounge, with Henderson Pinder citing the importance of the work currently being done to that department.

“The Accident and Emergency project is one of the strategies being used to increase our patient experience and to improve our customer care.

The project has been ongoing for a year or so now, it is slowly reaching its completion, and the Taxi Association has been faithful and consistent members of our community here at the hospital, and each year, they seek to give back something to our projects around the hospital.

“To achieve our aim, there are many points or areas that need to be addressed. I am sure the funds that they have donated, will go towards achieving our goal of having safe, efficient, and effective care in the Accident and Emergency Department,” Pinder added.

Shakeena Rock, Sales and Marketing Manager at Western Wholesale Inc., was also on hand to donate 50 cases of Jamaican Mountain Peak Ginger and Turmeric tea to the hospital and its staff, and spoke briefly about the health benefits of the teas.

“We find that the Ginger and Turmeric tea is not only suitable to aid in the recovery of COVID-19 patients, but other patients who may be suffering from non-communicable diseases. Ginger and turmeric tea has been known to fight and build up the body against diseases,” she said.

Beacon Insurance also donated $3 500 towards the furnishing of the Accident and Emergency Department Staff Lounge.