St. John Hospice Receives Donation of Medical and Care Supplies

 Cathlyn Gilkes, Administrator of the Hospice and The Honourable E.P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Trade

On Friday, 24 July 2020, the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission (London) together with the Jacob’s Well Appeal donated medical and care supplies to the St. John Hospice, Antigua. The donated items include hospital beds, specially designed mattresses, wheelchairs, medical equipment, and treatment aids. Also, the European Caucus of Antigua and Barbuda Ambassadors and Honorary Consuls contributed a range of sanitation and hygiene essentials. The donated items, valued approximately at £25,000, were sourced from Anjo Wholesale Ltd and A.S. Bryden & Sons Ltd in Antigua and Barbuda as well as from other suppliers in the United Kingdom. 

This initiative forms part of the Government’s policy objective to assist key community partners in the provision of critical services to the most vulnerable in society during the current situation. The Honourable E.P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Trade officially handed over the donated items to the St John Hospice, Antigua located at the Holberton Hospital Complex. Minister Greene recognised the essential service that the Hospice provides in its delivery of palliative care to loved ones in their most challenging days. He also noted the growth in support for community organisations like the Hospice by many individuals and entities and emphasised the need for even greater support to ensure the maintenance of their invaluable services. 

In accepting the donations, Cathlyn Gilkes, Administrator of the Hospice, thanked Minister Greene for the timely contributions. Gilkes appreciatively noted that the generous support from individuals and partners during the current situation assists the Hospice in dealing with the resulting increased financial and other challenges. Minister Greene also thanked High Commissioner H.E. Karen-Mae Hill, High Commission staff, and Eurileen Thibou for coordinating this initiative. 

The St John Hospice, Antigua, is a charitable organisation that provides palliative care to many individuals across society. The Hospice operates under the auspices of the worldwide organisation The St John International, which offers first aid, healthcare and support services around the world. The donation was made possible through the kind generosity from the Jacob’s Well Appeal –a charitable organisation based in the United Kingdom supporting developing countries with humanitarian, medical, and other forms of aid; together with the support from the European Caucus of Antigua and Barbuda Ambassadors and Honorary Consuls, which comprises of High Commissioner Hill (Chair), United Kingdom; H.E. Ambassador Dario Item, Spain; Ambassador H.E. Jihad Georges Aoun, Greece; Honorary Consul Wolfgang Altmueller, Germany; Honorary Consul Professor Dr Ivan Todorov, Bulgaria; and Honorary Consul Julien Hansen, Russia.