Palms Geriatric Home receives donation from Public Health Ministry
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, August 21, 2019
The Ministry of Public Health has rendered support to a home under its sister ministry; the Ministry of Social Protection, to maximise the level of public health care delivered to persons who access it. The Palms Geriatric Home has received a supply of Vitamins, ointments, garbage receptacles and other items.
The staff of the Ministry of Public Health, specifically doctors, Nursing Assistants and Patient Care Assistants work at the Geriatric home on Brickdam. This was a fact that propelled the ministry to move in this direction of support.
Pharmacist of the Palms Geriatric Home, Hillary Rodrigues receives the donation from Minister of Public Health, Hon. Volda Lawrence while those from the Ministry of Public Health and staff of the Palms look on.
Added to this, the Minister of Public Health, Hon. Volda Lawrence, who is the former Minister of Social Protection, is committed to care for the elderly. On her behalf, Technical Advisor to the minister and Member of Parliament, Hon. John Adams highlighted:
“It is indeed a great pleasure for the Ministry of Public Health to be partnering with the Palms Geriatric Home… Minister Lawrence once had responsibility for this institution and the passion she had then has not died, this afternoon’s gesture proves that she still has the Palms Geriatric Home at heart.”
Administrator Samantha Douglas and Senior Registrar at the Palms, Dr. Laura Pereira noted that this small gesture by the Ministry of Public Health will go a long way. It ties into the ministry’s vision of ensuring that access to essential medications and supplies is fulfilled.
Dr. Pereira said the home caters for approximately 780 patients, both residents and outside of the home. She also added that in addressing Non-Communicable and Communicable diseases of the patients, improved treatment will be provided.
She explained that “most importantly diabetics, those with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and other illnesses attributed to older persons, this donation will contribute to addressing these.”
Also, other patients accessing service at the Palms include, “handicapped patients with social disabilities, physical disabilities, psychiatric disability and we are treating all these kinds of patients so this will help,” Dr. Pereira noted.