Minister lifts patients’ Xmas spirits with visit |26 December 2012

For the occasion, the minister was accompanied by Santa Claus, lugging a big bag full of presents, which she presented to children in the pediatric and maternity wards.

They were also followed by a choir made up of senior female staff,  singing  popular Christmas carols, adding to the festive ambience in the wards, festooned with Christmas decorations.

Ms Larue was welcomed at the pediatric ward by consultant in charge, Dr Philip Govinden, and nurse manager Jeanine Nourrice.

She stopped by the bedside of each child, wishing them a merry Christmas and giving each and everyone a present from Santa.
 
In nearly all cases, the children were accompanied by a parent, usually the mother, but in one case, the grandmother.

Mrs Larue next went to the maternity ward, where she was shown around by Dr Zia Rizvi, in charge of the ward and Gilian Mein, nurse manager. There were 28 newborns in the ward on that day.

The minister then went to the two surgical wards -- Hermitte Ward for female patients and D’Offay for men.

She then went to the female and male medical wards as well as the haemodialysis clinic, which is where patients with acute kidney conditions receive medical attention.

During her tour, Mrs Larue also met many staff members who were then on duty. She thanked them for their continued hard work and commitment to the health profession.

Our accompanying photographs show Minister Larue and her delegation touring the various wards.