‘Hospital thieves cursed’ – Sir Louis

At last week’s handing over of donations to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), the Minister of Foreign Affairs condemned persons who steal hospital supplies as “cursed”, and challenged staff there to be more vigilant about these thefts.

Last Thursday, January 12, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Sir Louis Straker oversaw the handing over of 18 beds, 200 sheet sets and a quantity of adult diapers for use on the Female Surgical Ward.

“I am appealing to all those who work here… let us keep those things in the hospital for those that they were intended to be for. I would say the man or the woman who removes medicine and sheets and [diapers] from the hospital for their own personal use, they are cursed, because the cries of the sick and those who are destitute are on them!” he admonished.

“I know this is an institution that does amputations; but it seems as though this is an institution that provides legs for sheets here also. So, one way or the other the sheets walk out and we don’t know where they go!”

Sir Louis further urged all members of staff, regardless of which department they work in, to be on the lookout for persons – whether staff members or members of the public – who remove hospital items.

“I want to challenge the administration and all those in authority here to keep your eyes on these sheets, these [diapers]… because while some people might think it’s the nurses who take them home, or people who work in the laundry room, I am told that even patients take them out also!”

The Foreign Affairs Minister expressed his deep gratitude for donations like these, as they go towards nation building, and help offset the cost of such to the Government.

“These things come to us, and they might be free, but they are not cheap. It is unfortunate that sometimes when we have these things here – and they should be kept here for the benefit of the patients and to be used in the hospital – that sometimes they are not there when they should be,” he lamented.

The beds were donated through the Consulate General of St Vincent and the Grenadines in Toronto, and the sheet sets and adult diapers were donated through the SVG High Commission in London (UK).

Consul General of SVG in Toronto Fitzgerald Huggins also attended the handover, and explained that he had been contacted by a Vincentian living in Canada – Rosaline King-Johnson – who informed him that the hospital she works at was giving away some beds, and secured them for donation to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

“Since I was appointed Consul General in Toronto, I have made the hospital and the fire services my passion,” he enthused, noting that he is always seeking ways in which he can add to improving life in SVG.

Huggins also promised that he would be donating 40 pulse oximeters (devices used to measure oxygen saturation in the body) to the hospital next month.

Sir Louis further declared that he is “extremely happy” with the work that the consul generals and ambassadors are doing in the diaspora to attract investment and employment opportunities for Vincentians at home and abroad.

“Consul General Huggins has been a man hard at work in order to produce for St Vincent and the Grenadines!”

Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment Luke Browne also expressed his gratitude to those who donate to the hospital, as well as the consul generals and ambassadors who represent SVG across the globe.

“It was a cry of the Ministry of Health and the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital for more beds and more sheets so that we could provide as best as possible health care for those who come within these walls for treatment,” he explained.

Browne pointed out that several sections of the hospital have undergone refurbishment over the years to better provide services for not only the people of SVG, but also those across the Eastern Caribbean who make use of our health services.

“Everybody is playing a role in making sure that we build up our capacity in the area of health; and we are determined to continue to do this.”

The Minister of Health also revealed that major refurbishment of the Lewis Punnett Home is set to be embarked on this year. (JSV)