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Minister of Health, Donville Inniss (left) taking a look at some of the items donated by the Kiwanis Club of Barbados North, along with president Adrian Boyce (second left), Staff Nurse Hyacinth Ramsey and residents of the Elayne Scantlebury Centre. (A.Gaskin/BGIS)??

Minister of Health, Donville Inniss, has expressed concern that shut-ins and persons being cared for by the state continue to be forgotten by the wider society.

He made the comments on Sunday during presentations by the Kiwanis Club of Barbados North to the Elayne Scantlebury Centre and the St. Lucy District Hospital, both located in River Bay, St. Lucy.

The Health Minister thanked the Kiwanis for "stepping up to the plate" by not only assisting with the provision of items but also for visiting shut-ins on a regular basis in an effort to bring them "some measure of cheer". The group presented toiletries to both institutions, in addition to two night chairs to the centre.

"The Kiwanis continue to be an outstanding group within our society. I would like to thank the many proud men and women from the Kiwanis Club of Barbados for their continued partnership. I may sound like a stuck record when I say that the Government cannot do it alone and, therefore, we are very appreciative of the contribution that the Kiwanis and other clubs make in this society…

"There are many other groups who continue to give generously of their financial resources as well as of their time to help those who are less fortunate. It certainly is in keeping with the spirit of Christmas that we are here this afternoon to continue on this path," Mr. Inniss emphasised.

The Health Minister said the new location of the Elyane Scantlebury Centre which is located on the compound of the St. Lucy District Hospital, would be its permanent home. He explained that the Ministry of Health took the decision because the building which was previously housed at Belleplaine, St. Andrew, was in a dilapidated state for quite some time.

"We took a decision in the Ministry that we should complete renovations to the facilities here at St. Lucy District Hospital and relocate the residents from Belleplaine to St. Lucy. It has not been an easy task; it has been a rather long one. I am satisfied there are still some issues that have to be resolved in order to make this facility as comfortable as possible for the residents and the staff but we are certainly moving in the right direction," he said.

melissa.rollock@barbados.gov.bb

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