Health centres receive assistance

As a St Catherine native, Marlon Morris has seen the strain that health service providers have experienced over the years.

That prompted him to start giving back to these entities by using proceeds of his annual Marlon Pre-Ash Wednesday Fiesta. Recently, he donated two refrigerators, a microwave, one lamination machine and a printer to the records department of the St Jago Park and Sydenham health centres. The businessman, who has been doing this for about 10 years, said he chose to support community health rather than giving to individual cases, as this has a greater impact.

"I am pleased to be able, once more, to give back to health in the parish. I am aware of the needs, which are oftentimes neglected. So each year after the Marlon Pre-Ash Wednesday, this is my project," Morris said. ''God has blessed me, so having visited the health centre and observed that the workers lacked some basic items, I decided to contribute from whatever returns I make on the show.

"My only regret is that more businesses are not giving back to these places, as healthcare is an expensive activity, therefore every little assistance counts," Morris added, citing that the needs of the various health entities are varied. Both centres see more than 2,000 patients daily.

Dr Pauline Weir, medical officer for St Catherine, said that over the years, the department has benefited from donations of AC units, fans, fridges and other needy items.

"We are thankful that in addition to the items this year, he will be giving us [venetian] blinds in a section of the building," Weir said.

"This year, the donation will be divided between the St Jago and the Sydenham health centres. There are 35 personnel in the records department, so the fridges will be of great service to them," she added.