Gym, day care centre to be set up for health sector workers
-Ramsammy
Stabroek News
May 3, 2002
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation is working to establish a gym for health care workers so that they could relax and exercise after work, according to Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy.
Ramsammy also announced that his ministry would be establishing a day care centre for mothers who work in the health sector.
The minister was speaking at a simple ceremony in the eye clinic area of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for the retirees from the institution in the year 2001 on Tuesday.
Twenty-three persons retired from the institution last year having given a total of almost 400 years to the hospital.
The minister said that events such as the one on Tuesday were always bittersweet because retirees would be sad to leave but yet they would want to move on to another stage of their lives.
He said that the hospital as an institution must recognise the service of its employees and he was high in praise for those who organised the event.
According to the minister the hospital has a special place in the development of the country and also a special place in the lives of many persons. He said those who were honoured on Tuesday made major contributions to the special place the institution has in the developmental process of the country.
He appealed to the retirees not to sever all ties with the hospital.
Yvonne Walcott, who retired as a senior departmental sister after 33 years, described the ceremony as a very pleasing one.
She said her years at the hospital have taught her a lot since she has experienced challenges and joy working with people.
Walcott said she was able to overcome challenges at the hospital since they worked as a team at the institution. She said even though sometimes her days were very stressful she was able to gain satisfaction from her work.
The woman, who was a teacher before she joined the nursing profession, recalled that shortly after she joined the staff at the hospital she wanted to leave for several reasons. However, although several opportunities were presented for her to leave she remained at the hospital because she liked caring for others.
The mother of one said that she would continue working in the area of giving care.