RADHICA DE SILVA
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Unable to find time to prepare meals because of long shifts, frontline medical workers who have been risking their lives to care for COVID-19 patients, are now receiving free meals from the Soroptimist International of San Fernando.
The club’s president, Terry Amerali Rambharat, said the meals have been provided three times per week to over 50 workers for the past four weeks.
She said, “Employees in all areas of the Health sector have been under stress during the pandemic, none more so than the frontline staff at our nation’s hospitals and step-down facilities.”
“The physical and psychological stress has been relentless for the past year. What started as an idea to show appreciation to these frontline workers, morphed into a four-week project in which members of Soroptimist International of San Fernando provided dinner three evenings a week for the staff of Augustus Long Hospital,” she added.
After seeking permission from the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA), and observing all protocols, Amerali-Rambharat said members got to work preparing delicious meals and delectable desserts which were greatly appreciated by all members of staff.
The project was partially funded through generous donations from RBC, a Trinidadian doctor in England and from friends of the club.
Meanwhile, a doctor at the hospital thanked the group for their generosity.
“We want to say thanks for the support it goes a long way in building morale among staff and team,” he said.
He added, “ We work 12 and 24-hour shifts and sometimes we don’t have enough time for meal preparation. At end of the day after finishing a 12-hour shift it is hard to go home and fix meals.”
Recently medical workers from San Fernando General Hospital also received honeydew melons and cantaloupes from Mayaro farmer Roger Lobin.
Agricultural economist Omardath Maharaj who has been sharing the fruit also expressed thanks to the workers for risking themselves and their families to care for sick patients.
