Local gov’t ministry to honour persons helping society’s less fortunate
THE MINISTRY of Local Government will recognise several persons who have been assisting society’s less fortunate, at a ceremony slated for December 1 at Jamaica House.
“We are also going to be recognising the work that has taken place over the years in our infirmaries. At least three infirmaries will be honoured at that ceremony,” Desmond McKenzie, portfolio minister, has said.
He made the announcement during a visit to the Hanover Infirmary in Lucea, on Wednesday (November 14), as part of activities to observe Local Government and Community Development Month.
McKenzie also lauded the National Housing Trust (NHT), the National Health Fund (NHF), and the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund for their contributions, in the sum of $500 million, towards upgrading the nation’s infirmaries.
“I would like to recognise the NHT, which is helping us to build new wards and administrative offices in some of our infirmaries; the CHASE Fund, which will be providing standby generators and energy-saving equipment for all our infirmaries; and the NHF, which will assist in providing medication and medical equipment for the facilities,” he said.
INFIRMARY RESIDENTS PAMPERED
McKenzie, along with mayors from across the island and staff members from the Hanover Municipal Corporation spent the day with residents of the infirmary.
The 50 residents at the infirmary were given pedicures, haircuts, hairstyles and massages, while sections of the facility were painted.
Other notable participants in the day’s activities included representatives of the Social Development Commission (SDC), and the Sandals Foundation.
McKenzie and staff from the Trelawny Municipal Corporation are slated to visit the Trelawny Infirmary in Falmouth today.