Long-serving health workers recognised

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

Several health workers were on Tuesday recognised by the Southern Regional Health Authority for their long and dedicated service to the health sector.

Chief executive officer (CEO) of the Mandeville Regional Hospital, Alwyn Miller, reminded the awardees that "the work they performed has brought about improvements in the service the hospital now offers".

Calling them "exceptional performers", he said their contributions have led to the hospital being able to manage the 7,000 patients it sees monthly. Miller also said complaints by patients have been reduced by 38 per cent during the last calendar year.

The CEO said the awardees were examples of the kind of staff at the hospital who, at times, after taking care of a patient, dipped into their pockets to help them with taxi fares to go home. He said it was time for the facility to be upgraded to an "intensive-care hospital".

The awardees were given plaques and certificates and publicly thanked for their services to the Jamaican people.

user-fee policy

Chairman of the board of directors and councillor for the Mile gully division, Timothy Scarlett, while lauding the awardees for their service, told the gathering that the Government was committed to its no-user-fee policy.

The awardees included Pamella Loney Senior, Marjorie Whyte-Wilks, Janet Spence, Rosemarie Ancel, Nelta Palmer, Patricia Johnson-Myle, Nadaine Smith-Lewis, Vinola Richards, Stenneth Matthews, Majorie Williams, Leonora Richards-Plummer, Valrie Burton, and Lila Evans-Logan.

- Angelo Laurence