First Lady given ideas to improve children’s ward |28 August 2010

Mrs Michel, who is chairperson of the Children’s Homes Foundation (CHF), was accompanied by its chief executive Noella Gonthier.

They were welcomed by Minister for Health Erna Athanasius, principal secretary Hélène Maiche, special adviser to the minister Bernard Valentin, Dr Philippe Govinden, Dr Xavier Rose and nurse in charge of the ward Jeannine Nourrice.

The aim of the visit was to look at areas of the ward that could benefit from a project to be carried out by the foundation.

A representative of the First Lady confirmed that the visit was the result of a previous meeting between Mrs Michel and Dr Athanasius, who was a member of the CHF before her recent appointment as minister.

The visit has helped Mrs Michel to familiarise herself with the children’s ward and assess the needs of sick children. It has also placed her in a better position to further discuss projects that are under consideration to benefit the hospital, especially the children’s ward.

At the end of the visit, Mrs Michel asked to be made aware of other things that the staff feel will help improve the wellbeing of children admitted to the ward.

The First Lady has made previous visits to the children’s ward, especially during the festive season to hand over gifts to the young patients.