Paediatric ward gets new items to brighten it up |23 November 2011

The handing over took place in a short ceremony at the Seychelles Hospital recently and was attended by Minister for Health Dr Erna Athanasius, members of the association, general manager of the Fisherman’s Cove Mathieu De Tonnac, health principal secretary Dr Bernard Valentin, chief nursing officer Bella Henderson, who received the donation on behalf of the Ministry of Health, other doctors and invited guests.

Media representative and member of the association, Lalita Mayadas, said in July last year during a Unicef initiative, the Fisherman’s Cove hotel organised a fund-raising dinner for children affected by the floods in Pakistan.

“Since the funds were being raised locally, Mr De Tonnac and the Fisherman’s Cove decided that some of the money should go to a worthy cause in Seychelles,” she said, adding that he approached DSA chairperson Brigitte Bianchi-Mignot who was happy for the DSA to be part of the cause.

Mrs Mayadas also said that since it was agreed the cause would be a child-related one, they approached the Ministry of Health who gave their wish-list for the paediatric ward.

In all, R 34,000, which is 40 per cent of the money raised, was given to the DSA to buy items for the ward.

Mrs Mayadas said they still have some money left over which will be used to buy more things for the paediatric ward in future.

“It’s with great pride that we worked with the Diplomatic Spouses Association and I feel good knowing the money raised is going to such a beautiful cause,” said Mr De Tonnac.

Lydia Forbes, a member of the DSA. added that “since the paediatric ward is where children in the hospital spend most of their time, it’s lovely that we are helping to brighten it up.”

Mrs Bianchi-Mignot said she and the DSA are happy to be able to work with Mr De Tonnac in raising such a large sum of money for the children.