Plans by the management of the Bustamante Hospital for Children to create a ‘Happy Room’ at the hospital moved closer to reality on Monday (Sept. 23) with the donation of a television and other electronic equipment from three corporate sponsors. Patron of the hospital Her Excellency the Most Honourable Lady Allen and the Hon. Marigold Harding, Custos Rotulorum for the parish of St. Andrew, were on hand to witness the handing over of the gifts from sponsors Singer Jamaica Ltd., Electro World and ARD 2K Electronics.
The “Happy Room” concept is the brain-child of Dr. Suzan McLenon- Miguel, who has been ardently working to have rooms of this nature established in hospitals across Jamaica. Happy Rooms, Dr. Miguel explained, “will calm and soothe patients, especially those who will undergo surgical procedures.” She further explained that this will help to lower the risks experienced during some of the procedures and will also help the patients’ pre and post recovery.
Custos Harding who assisted Lady Allen with coordinating the donations said the companies were very eager to contribute to the hospital’s latest venture. “When I first received Lady Allen’s request for assistance in acquiring the appliances for the Happy Room, I knew I had to do something. I didn’t respond immediately, but I was quietly working on it because I knew I had to get this done. I want to thank Lady Allen for her relentless efforts in getting this project off the ground,” she said.
Ms. Carlene Dinald, a representative of Singer Jamaica Ltd said that the company was more than pleased to be a part of the preparation of the Happy Room at the hospital. “We look forward to participating in the various hospital projects and to offer our assistance where possible. It is certainly a tremendous feeling giving back and we especially want to thank Lady Allen and Custos Harding for affording us the opportunity”.
Mr. Richard Hamilton, Managing Director of ARD 2K Electronics announced that he had come fully prepared to give and also presented another DVD to the hospital.
Lady Allen, in her brief remarks at the function, thanked the sponsors for their kind contributions and expressed hope in seeing more hospitals establishing Happy Rooms.
“When Dr. Miguel approached me with the idea, it all made sense. I sincerely believe that this should be replicated in hospitals across Jamaica. The patients here at the Bustamante Children’s Hospital will benefit significantly from this project and I just want to say thank you to our sponsors for their kind contributions ,” Lady Allen concluded.