The Tribune

GOVERNOR-General Sir Arthur Foulkes officially recommissioned the newly refurbished Children’s Ward during his Annual Visit to the Princess Margaret Hospital on Monday.

Joined by his wife, Lady Foulkes, he also toured several other wards and interacted with patients before being feted to a reception in the pharmacy section of the premier tertiary healthcare facility in the country.

“Joan and I are happy to be once again with our Princess Margaret Hospital family as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Christ child and the beginning of a new year.

“The year that is drawing to a close has been a momentous one, one in which we faced many challenges, but also one in which we happily celebrated the 40th anniversary of our country’s independence. We must also be thankful that this year we have been spared the ravages of hurricanes,” Sir Arthur said.

Amongst those challenges was the scourge of crime, especially violent crime, which he said meant “agony for some families and more painful work for you here at the Princess Margaret Hospital.”

He said in spite of the challenges, the PMH family continues to go above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis, sometimes without much recognition and without regard to daily obstacles and challenges.

“You have much to be proud of. The Princess Margaret Hospital is the premier, tertiary healthcare facility in the Bahamas. It is also an internationally-recognised teaching institution,” Sir Arthur said.

He said he was proud to have participated in the re-commissioning of Children’s Ward North, which falls under the Paediatric Department. The department has a bed complement of 62 and includes five units, an education room and the Hospital School.

The education room is equipped to provide educational sessions for staff and clients and affords school age children an opportunity to continue their education during their stay in hospital.

Three units East, West and Balcony, accommodate patients ages six months to four years old.

A nursery unit accommodates babies – newborn up to five months old – and the North unit accommodates children between the ages of five and 12.

Sir Arthur unveiled the plaque embedded in the wall to the entrance of the ward. The Reverend Canon Sebastian Campbell, the hospital chaplain, performed the blessing and re-commissioning ceremony.

Also participating in the programme for the annual visit were Mary Lightbourne-Walker, hospital administrator, PMH; Senator Frank Smith, chairman, Public Hospitals Authority; and Dr Perry Gomez, Minister of Health.

Entertainment was provided by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band.