Health ministry rewards long-serving staff |22 December 2014

Thirty-eight staff of the Ministry of Health with 25 years of service and more were rewarded last Saturday for their long years of loyalty and dedication to their profession.

This took place during the ministry’s end-of-year gathering at the National Sports Council (NSC) hall at Roche Caïman.

Jones Romain is the longest serving staff with 44 years of service with the ministry.

The event was also attended by the Minister for Health Mitcy Larue, the chief executive of the Health Care Agency Suresh Menon, public health commissioner Jude Gedeon and other high officials of the ministry.

“There is no greater job than the love of caring for our fellow human beings,” Minister Larue told her staff in her remarks for the occasion.

She went on to express her gratitude to everyone and a special one to the long-serving staff.

The minister also recognised Mr Romain for faithfully serving the ministry for 44 years and urged other colleagues to take this as their inspiration.

“When we join this ministry, we join to serve and we must fulfill this commitment,” said Minister Larue, thanking her staff for the remarkable work they do everyday and every night to keep our people in good health, prevent them from getting sick and help them gain back their health.

Minister Larue said that 2014 has been a good year for her ministry where it has consolidated its reform and modernisation programmes which started in 2013.

“In 2014 we have given the Health Care Agency and the Public Health Administration, National Aids Council and NIHSS a new image and a new identity in line with our reform programme,” said the minister, highlighting the progress these four entities are making as a result of these reforms.

Referring to the health theme launched in April this year ‘My Health, My Responsibility’, Minister Larue said the nation is now understanding the  ministry cannot do everything itself and that they are responsible for their health.

She acknowledged that more efforts are needed by her ministry to fully educate the people on this issue.

The minister then elaborated on new projects completed by her ministry this year like the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), new centre for dialysis and new operating theatre.

She also referred to the new culture of accountability and responsibility being implemented in the Ministry of Health to which she said she attaches great importance as it will enable the ministry to be more efficient and make people more positive towards the health care system.

Minister Larue also acknowledged that challenges still remain in her ministry like old facilities that need to be upgraded, need for more professionals and attitude problems.

The minister urged all staff to work together for the love of the patients, the love of our nation and the love of Seychelles.

Mr Menon expressed his appreciation towards all health workers noting that although such a profession demands a lot, the job has to be done no matter what.

 He told fellow staff the journey has not been easy, they have faced lot of challenges as the delivery of health is very demanding.

But he cautioned them that they are expected to deliver accordingly and offer higher standards.

Mr Menon reminded all staff that they must all reach out to the needy and vulnerable.

Dr Gedeon described the gathering as a moment of reflection. He thanked all staff for their hard work during 2014 and told them there are still lots to be done in 2015.

He urged them to let the spirit of Christmas and the birth of Jesus guide them in their endeavour.