Across the nation
published:
Saturday | June 28, 2008
Percy Junor Hospital fetes customers
WALDERSTON, MANCHESTER:
The Percy Junor Hospital in Manchester continued to demonstrate why it was nominated the most customer-friendly hospital in Jamaica as well as the most creative and innovative public sector agency islandwide, when it held its fifth annual Customer Appreciation Day last Thursday.
From early in the day, employees from all departments worked feverishly and in cohesion to prepare the venue for the 10 a.m. welcome to a full day's activities.
The theme "Healthy Environment, Healthy Living - The Way Forward", was expressed by lectures from the Regional Environmental Health Office, the Fire Brigade, National Environmental and Planning Agency, Rural Agricultural Development Authority and the National Water Commission.
Children from various schools participated in a question and answer exercise as well as a poster competition.
Medical technologist Douglas Case, who was named worker of the year, was presented with a plaque by the outgoing worker of the year Dr Ghazalli Ahmad. There were awards for the Best Kept Ward, Best Kept Department, categorical workers of the year, and Outstanding Nurse.
The most popular presentation of the day was from the Spanish Town-based 'Bashy Bus' drama group, which coordinated enactments, slamming acts of incest, child abuse and the sexual exposure of school girls.
- Byron McDaniel
Seniors pass on Clarendon culture
MAY PEN, CLARENDON:
The National Council for Senior Citizens, Clarendon Chapter, held its annual Senior Citizens' Cultural Day last week, showcasing the various skills and talents of the country's older residents.
The event, held at the St Gabriel's Anglican Church in May Pen, attracted a large gathering of seniors, who, adorned in the colours of the various senior citizens' clubs, entertained the audience with several cultural renditions in the form of poetry, prose, dance, music and drama.
They were joined by students from basic and primary schools in Clarendon, who assisted them in depicting the theme of transformation and integration, showing how well the young and the old, the past and the present, complemented each other.
On display was a wide array of handcraft, depicting the creative genius of the seniors. Their prowess in the culinary arts was also demonstrated as they served up dishes of coconut run-down, blue draws, cassava musa, potato pudding and corn pone, among others.
- JIS
St James' fruit tree project booms
MONTEGO BAY, ST JAMES:
The Ministry of Agriculture's Fruit Tree Crop Project is going well in St James, with approximately 100 farmers involved in the initiative.
In addition to ensuring food security, Wentworth Mitchell, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) officer, said the project would go a far way in meeting the demand for fresh fruit juices.
Farmers interested in the project should visit the RADA office where they could speak with an officer and fill out an application form. The process will involve a visit to the project area by a RADA officer, who is expected to give advice as to the best selection of fruit trees.
- JIS
Samaritan boosts infirmary
MAY PEN, CLARENDON:
The Clarendon Infirmary has received a gift of six water heaters from Sylvia Martin, a friend of the institution.
Matron at the infirmary, Joyce Anderson, expressed appreciation for the gift, which, she said, would benefit elderly residents.
It will cost about $87,000 to install the heaters.
Councillor Trevor Morris, chairman of the parish's poor relief committee, has reported that the general health of the 140 residents of the Infirmary remains fairly good. This, he said, should be further enhanced by the services of the resident doctor, who was recently contracted by the parish council to provide medical support to the residents.
He expressed gratitude to well-meaning individuals and organisations, who continue to be mindful of the welfare of those who are less fortunate.
Only recently, Morris disclosed, the infirmary received goods and gifts amounting to $93,723.76.
- JIS
Farmers join praedial larceny fight
MONTEGO BAY, ST JAMES:
The Farmer Registration Programme, introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture last year to combat praedial larceny, has been intensified in the parish of St James, with some 4,700 farmers registered to date.
According to the parish manager for the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, Wentworth Mitchell, the percentage of farmers seeking registration has increased sharply due to the recent removal of identification fees by Government.
Mitchell pointed out that the farmers' organisation had been focusing on the target of registering at least 6,000 farmers in the parish and urged those who have not been registered to do so now, as there are several benefits and opportunities available to those who comply.
- JIS
May Day High celebrates veterans
MANDEVILLE, MANCHESTER:
The May Day High School in Manchester last Saturday honoured several of its teachers, ancillary staff and key stakeholders for up to 33 years of service to the institution.
The function, dubbed 'Celebrating Excellence and Expressing Gratitude,' was held at the Mandeville Hotel. Several persons from the business community, the education sector and political representatives, commended the honourees for their contribution to the 124-year-old institution.
Guest speaker at the function and senior adviser to the Minister of Education, Alphonso Davis, said the honourees were able to accomplish their tasks through hard work and personal sacrifice.
He pointed out that those being honoured were fine examples for young people to emulate.
Responding on behalf of her fellow honourees, Evelyn Sturridge, who taught at the school for 33 years, said there were memorable days spent at the institution that would never be forgotten.
