First Lady brings Christmas cheer to the hospitalised |26 December 2020

More than 2,000 years ago, a baby’s first breath brought a thrill of hope to a weary world. The future of the human race changed forever when joy took human form and appeared in a manger.

Yesterday, Christians all around the world and in the country celebrated Christmas with their family, however there were people who spent the day cooped up in a hospital room.

To bring a bit of cheer and lift their morale, First Lady Linda Ramkalawan accompanied by Health Minister Peggy Vidot visited patients at the Seychelles Hospital on Christmas eve.

The visit started at the maternity and pediatric wards where Mrs Ramkalawan got a chance to be Saint Nick for a day and handed out gifts to the newborn babies and children present.

Afterwards she headed up the second floor where she visited patients in the female ward.

Speaking to the press after her visit, First Lady Ramkalawan described the hospital as being well decorated and clean.

“Many children look forward to Christmas so it's a shame that they will be celebrating it in a hospital instead of with their family, so it’s nice that we were able to bring them a little gift.”

She continued by saying that this year she will be celebrating Christmas by going to church and spending the day with his husband the president and their family.

On her part, Minister Vidot noted that the visit is a tradition that the ministry does every year as it’s an opportunity to give their well wishes to the patients and staff of the hospital.

“Even though the patients will be spending Christmas in the hospital, the staff are doing what they can to make them as comfortable as possible and the visit itself serves as a way to raise morale,” said Minister Vidot.

As the guests toured the wards and spoke to patients, the hospital choir animated the wards with classic Christmas carols.

The accompanying photographs show some highlights of the visit.

Christophe Zialor

Photos:Anel Robert