The Ministry of Health and Wellness this morning received 1,500 surgical masks from the District Grand Lodge of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.
The presentation represented the start of a district-wide charity initiative which is being executed in 10 countries within the Eastern Caribbean, as well as Barbados. The Lodges in each country, including the six based in Barbados, are responsible for its implementation.
District Junior Grand Warden, Elridge Dixon, said the District Grand Lodge will be donating supplies throughout the region, valued at BDS$30,000.
The Free Masons will be making additional presentations in Barbados, including surgical masks to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and hampers to the Salvation Army.
Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anton Best, welcomed the donation, noting that surgical masks were an essential part of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for clinical staff.
He emphasized that Government could not fight COVID-19 alone and praised the Lodge’s initiative which, he said, would greatly assist the Ministry’s ability to respond to the challenge.
The presentation, which took place at the Ministry’s Culloden Road headquarters, was witnessed by Deputy Permanent Secretary, Cheryl Alleyne; President of the District Board of Benevolence, Clyde Sobers; District Grand Registrar, Andrew Thornhill; and District Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Maurice Gaskin.