SVG named as hub for activities of IHC

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been chosen as the hub for the activities of the International Hospital for Children (IHC).{{more}}

The IHC held a meeting with regional pediatricians and medical officials to discuss the establishment of a site in St. Vincent.

The meeting’s opening ceremony took place at the Ministry of Health Conference Room on Saturday, November 22, 2009.

Making brief remarks at the opening ceremony, president of the IHC Susan Rickman said that the hospital is close to treating its 100th case from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The IHC is a nonprofit humanitarian organization linking worldwide pediatric surgical, diagnostic and preventative resources to heal critically ill children in developing countries. In recent years, the IHC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Rotary Club of St. Vincent, has made it possible for children to receive medical care, including surgeries to fix birth defects or cure other illnesses.

Minister of Health Dr Douglas Slater commented on the collaboration of the regional countries. Slater said that the Caribbean countries, because of how small we are, try to hold on to what we own. “We all want our own little thing…it is often not very practical,” Slater stated.

He further stated that as one Caribbean people, we should aspire to reach the same high level of health care and that is was important for the region to have corporations among the countries.

Regional partners present at the meeting also made comments saluting St. Vincent for their collaboration with the IHC saying that the setting up of the

site in St. Vincent will bring quality care closer to the Caribbean. Rotary Club representative Reginald Thomas was also present at the opening ceremony.

The IHC operates within the Eastern Caribbean, Guyana, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. (OS)