Wife of the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Most Hon Lady Allen, wants more volunteers, particularly those with educational expertise, to assist patients of the Bustamante Hospital for Children, in Kingston.
She said this is critical, as some of the patients are unable to attend school for extended periods, due to the severity of their illnesses, resulting in the loss of valuable school lessons.
“The Burnt and Orthopedic units have patients who are missing out on their school work…we have adopted the school curriculum, (but) one of the things we really do need here is more teachers to go around,” she said.
Lady Allen said this will ensure that the children are always on target, and are not losing anything while they are at the institution.
She was speaking with JIS News at the Learning and Activity Centre on the grounds of the hospital, Monday March 21, after donating an LCD television set to the institution on behalf of educator, Diana Lambert.
Highlighting the importance of the television set, Lady Allen said the children will be able to watch educational and entertaining videos, which can contribute to their growth.
She said that the Learning and Activity Centre has one teacher, one guidance counselor and four child psychologists/psychiatrists, adding that local and overseas volunteers also offer their services from time-to-time.
Senior Medical Officer at the Hospital, Dr. Michelle-Ann Richards Dawson, in expressing gratitude, said it was a timely donation, especially for the patients who stay for extended periods.
The Bustamante Hospital for Children is the only specialist children’s hospital in the English-speaking Caribbean. It caters to patients from birth to 12 years, providing a comprehensive range of diagnostic, preventative, curative, rehabilitative and ambulatory services in paediatric medical and surgical specialties and sub-specialties.