Number of children reduced at GPHC’s paediatric ward – Minister Garrido-Lowe

During one of her visits to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Wednesday, Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe announced that there has been a reduction in the number of children at the institution.

According to Garrido-Lowe, during her previous visits, there were a large number of children who were receiving treatment at the medical facility.
“There are fewer children on the ward, because on my previous visit, there were so many children and I ensured that I saw all of them. I am also happy to see that they’re well-cared for by the nurses,” she stated.
During her visit, 27 children, including two cancer patients at the paediatric ward, were the recipients of hygiene hampers on behalf of the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry.
Accompanying the team was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Elizabeth Gonsalves, who noted that the institution was looking forward to the continuous support which it has received over the years from the Ministry.
“It’s a very good gesture to reach out to the kids, because when kids are hospitalised, it’s a lot different to when adults are, it’s not only that they are uncomfortable, but their freedom is taken away also,” she stated.
Last year, Minister Garrido-Lowe also made several visits to the paediatric ward at the GPHC where contributions were made to the children.
Under Minister Garrido-Lowe’s supervision, scheduled visits began over the past year to the institution, which ensured regular support – financial and otherwise – was given to persons in the Hospital.
In 2017, $12 million was allocated towards support to Indigenous patients seeking financial assistance, either in part or full, for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (RI), ultrasound, and Computed Tomography (CT) scans; radiation treatment; hygiene kits; funeral expenses, etc.
In 2018, in excess of $12 million will be spent on financial assistance for Indigenous people.