Health workers honoured by MoBay business community
Published:Monday | December 27, 2021 | 12:10 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
In the trenches fighting the coronavirus pandemic over the last two years, 58 healthcare workers recognised as ‘Heroes’ on the COVID-19 ward at the Cornwall Regional Hospital were honoured by the Montego Bay business community last Wednesday.
Initiated by Rainforest Caribbean’s Sheilagh Jardim, who 20 years ago saw the need for a dialysis unit at the hospital and organised a fundraiser, propelling its birth.
Jardim again rallied the troops in the western city with the goal of bringing Christmas cheer to the workers.
Participating companies Holiday Inn, Secrets, Sandals, Tai Flora, Fontana Pharmacy, and Chukka jointly donated luxurious gift packages that included hotel passes, gift certificates, discount coupons, and home-made Christmas cakes.
“The work carried out by this team is indicative of where we are as a country. What these heroes have done is a testament to the selflessness and sacrifices that exist among our healthcare workers,” Rainforest’s director of marketing and sales, Roger Lyn, stated while lauding the beneficiaries during the presentation.
As Lyn acknowledged the long hours and stressful situations the heroes encountered throughout the pandemic, there was relief when the gracious chief executive officer at the hospital, Charmaine Williams-Beckford, said that now that the COVID-19 numbers were low and fewer patients were on the ward, it was the opportune time for the team to take a break.
With expectations of a fourth wave, Williams-Beckford wants her people to be well rested.
Her comments were bolstered by acting senior medical officer Dr Carline Grant-Davis, who spoke glowingly of the role corporate Jamaica has always played in relation to Cornwall Regional Hospital.
She said it was efforts like the one organised by Jardim that would always act as a booster for staff morale.