Local businessman, Everod Roberts, is donating several air conditioning units to be
used by the Pediatric and other departments of the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre,
which have had to cope with rising temperatures.
A presentation exercise of 40 A/C units was held at the hospital where Roberts’
personal assistant, Desma Granger Sutton, made the presentation on his behalf.
Reading from a prepared text, Granger Sutton explained that Roberts was recently
warded at the hospital and therefore he is making the presentation for two reasons;
firstly, to thank the doctors and nurses who cared for him during his stay, and
secondly, to bring relief to the patients at the Pediatric Ward who had to contend
with the sweltering heat.
“It was during his stay here, that he had occasion to pass by the Pediatric Ward and
noticed the young patients struggling in the sweltering heat. Being a generous and
altruistic person, he immediately promised that he would supply the department
with enough A/C units to keep the kids cool during the most intense heatwave. We
all know that global warming is real and that heatwaves are here to stay,” she
stated.
Roberts added that the children are the nation’s future and ought to be treated in
ideal conditions. He felt that the children are not responsible for global warming
and ought not to be suffering from its effects.
Chair of the Pediatric Department, Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis thanked the benefactor,
Roberts, for the donation of the A/C units, noting that all will benefit from his
generosity.
“We’ve all experienced the discomforts of extremes in temperature so we can
imagine how our children feel as they are already ill and having to cope with the
difficulty of extreme temperatures. Our parents are already stressed and unsure of
what’s happening with their children, or what the next day holds with the extreme
temperatures, and our staff, our nurses, and physicians are offering their best,
going above and beyond in providing care under less-than-ideal conditions. These
units are going to make a tremendous difference in the lives of our children, the
lives of our parents, the lives of our guardians, and the lives of our staff,” she
remarked.
A hospital spokesman explained that unfortunately, the facility was not built with
central AC throughout. Many of the areas impacted are inpatient areas which
includes the Pediatric Department. “As temperatures become more and more
extreme, especially in the summer—You can imagine just how uncomfortable that
is for our patients and families and our care teams. We very thankful for the
generosity of Roberts Construction & Engineering and Roberts Industries Ltd. (the
names of the companies in which the donation was made),” she revealed.
According to the spokesman, the value for the 14 A/C units is approximately
EC$26,800.00 The units will be placed in the Pediatric Department and other areas
of greatest need at the hospital.
