Friends of San Fernando General Hospital Chips In

Non-profit and volunteer service organization to the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH), Friends of the Hospital (Friends of SFGH), has undertaken some hefty projects for 2010, aimed at assisting those who benefit from the hospital’s services.

Already completed is the funding for the Paediatric Surgical Reception Area facelift, which helped to create a comfortable, child-friendly space for both children undergoing surgery and their relatives during the tense pre- and post-surgery moments. The area has been given a splash of bold colour with bright green and blue paints. It has been outfitted with a jovial, digitally printed, customised wall mural featuring popular cartoon characters Winnie the Pooh, Dora the Explorer, Sponge Bob and Scooby Doo, among others. New toy holders, mats and a play pen have also been added to the area (see related article, “The Paediatric-Friendly Waiting Area”).

The organization’s other projects for this year included a partnership with the Community Liaison Unit to fund a three-day workshop for adolescents living with diabetes, held on April 7th to 9th, 2010. Friends of SFGH will also fund the refurbishment of the Intensive Care Unit’s (ICU) waiting/counselling room at the SFGH. This project aims to develop a peaceful and aesthetically pleasing area - to include magazines and multi-religious reading material - that is comfortable for patients’ relatives during periods of extended waiting or grief.

Voluntary community service is a pre-requisite for admission to pursue the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree programme at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. As such, many students may choose to gain their volunteer experience with Friends of SFGH. With an aim towards encouraging volunteerism as well as empowering young people and preparing them for the transition into the world of work and higher education, Friends funded the Step Forward seminar on April 11 at Naparima Girls’ High School. Conceptualised and co-ordinated by Dr Safeeya Mohammed of the SFGH’s Neonatal Unit, the workshop featured lectures on preparing for interviews and the importance of volunteerism.

Funding for all Friends of SFGH projects is gathered from profits of the organization’s official gift shop, Friends’ Corner, located opposite the Blood Bank at the SFGH. Friends’ Corner provides services to staff, patients and visitors to the SFGH, including the sale of gift items, toiletries, snacks and beverages.