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Contact:
Primus Hutchinson
Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - The Soufriere Hospital is now equipped with a
Physiotherapy Unit. The unit which was financed by the Basic Needs Trust Fund at
a cost of $56,000 is timely, considering that the Soufriere community suffers
with a high level of cardiovascular conditions. As a result, it is expected that
the quality of life in the community will be improved significantly.
Ezra Jn. Baptiste, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Basic Needs Trust
Fund and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Transformation, explained
that government’s role to providing basic health services is part of the
strategy to improving the quality of life for individuals, the community and the
nation. According to Jn Baptiste, the Soufriere project can be successful in the
way it is utilized and therefore must be seen as belonging to the entire
community and thus must be safeguarded from vandalism.
Minister for Health, Human Services and Family Affairs, Honourable Damian
Greave, said that the Physiotherapy Unit can be of service to the people of
Soufriere through the rehabilitation of persons after they have suffered the
misfortune of a stroke or accident and the rehabilitation of individuals after
any disability. He added though, that the relief of pain and the importance of
exercise are some of the emotional and physical benefits in promoting a healthy
lifestyle.
“That is important for us in terms of meeting the standard of health care that
we ought to meet, so that we can offer certain other basic services that ought
to be offered, including laboratory services, Ex-Ray facilities, even minor
surgery in some respect, and therefore we have to look at that, and give it the
best shot that we can in the not a too distant future,” Mr. Greaves said.
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