Health Sub-Committee News Updates
Visit by Michael Chang from Americares
June 27/05 - We were pleased to meet with Michael Chang and his associate Lisa Frantzen of the Humanitarian Organisation Americares, when they visited from June 16 – 19, 2005.
The purpose of their visit was to receive feedback on the medicines sent, to see how they were distributed, how they are being used, and to get an understanding of how appropriate the shipment was to the needs of Dominica.
We arranged a visit that turned out to be a mixture of business and fun. On Thursday 16, early evening the Michael and Lisa met with Clayton and me. The following day Friday was quite hectic. Clayton and I accompanied them to a meeting with the Hon. Minister for Health, John Fabien. We later met with the Supplies Manager at the Central Medical Stores together with the Chief Pharmacist. They had a first hand look at the destroyed section of the warehouse at the CMS. We then proceeded to St. Joseph Health Centre and Portsmouth Hospital. Saturday 18, we met with two NGO’s i.e. Dominica Red Cross and “Life Goes On”. Later that day the visitors were taken on a tour to Fresh Water Lake, Trafalgar Falls and the Sulphur Springs at Wotton Waven.
Americares is a nonprofit organization which responds to bring disaster relief and humanitarian aid to affected people worldwide. Michael and Lisa also informed that the organization was interested in ongoing relationships with recipients of their relief aid. We hope that PMH and DAAS can build on this bourgeoning relationship for the benefit of all concerned.
My Sincere thanks to all concerned for making this possible.
Marvlyn Birmingham,
Chair, Health Committee