QEH Paediatric Ward gets new chairs courtesy Bajan diaspora

Parents and guardians attending children in the Paediatric Ward at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital can now spend time in a much more comfortable way.

This is because of the donation of ten adjustable chairs, replacing worn-out ones, by a range of families, individuals and one association in the jurisdiction of the New York Consulate. The chairs were donated in response to a request to Mrs. Treva Holder, wife of Consul General Mackie Holder, from Head of the department, Dr. Angela Jennings. Mrs. Holder coordinated the project and shipment was facilitated by the Consulate General at New York.

The ten chairs were recently officially handed over by Mrs. Holder to Dr. Jennings. The presentation was attended by a number of hospital personnel as well as Earl Phillips, a member of the Barbados Support Group of New York, and a chair donor with his wife Gail.

CG Holder noted that the donation was yet another example of the quick response of the Barbadian community overseas to requests to assist, particularly related to the QEH and education matters. He added that the pledges to assist with the chairs were made within a day of the announcement, but it took some time to source, have them assembled and shipped and on the ward.

Contributions were made by Lestra and Daniel Cox; Earl and Gail Phillips; Alicia Connell, Sonia Clarke and Ira Carrington; Virginia Mayers Holder and Shirley Holder; Dr. Joseph and Hon. Sylvia Hinds-Radix; Mayor Adrian Mapp; Plainfield Now – Ayiesha Mapp, Amelia Mapp, Adrain Mapp, Beverley Morris-Gill, Jazz Clayton-Hunt; the Barbados Support Group, (BSG), – Alicia Connell, Michelle Brathwaite, Earl Phillips, Leroy Hutchinson (2), and Consul General Mackie Holder and Treva Holder. Each three-position chair bears the name of the donor or donors.

It is intended that all the chairs on the ward will be replaced by the community under the jurisdiction of the NY Consulate. This continues the partnership, which began with Mrs. Holder and Dr. Jennings collaborating on the Care Buddy Project, initiated by Mrs. Holder, which provides all children in paediatrics with stuffed toys.

The Care Buddy programme was extended to children who contracted COVID-19 and now also covers children admitted to the Accident and Emergency Department. (PR)