For the first time, members of the public in Anguilla, with health issues, and being treated with medications, have been given an opportunity to discuss their varied treatments with pharmacy personnel at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
That opportunity was provided on Wednesday, October 23, as part of activities marking Pharmacy Week. In observance of that occasion, a leadership and management team of officials, representing various departments of the Health Authority of Anguilla, attended the Ebenezer Methodist Church Service in The Valley on Sunday, October 20.
They were formally welcomed by the Superintendent Minister of the Anguilla Methodist Circuit, Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs. He commended them for their service to Anguilla and was joined in this respect by the congregation. It was Youth Sunday day when the first part of the service was ably conducted by the Youth Worship Leader, Vikagla Richardson, an upcoming young lady whose manner of discipline, deportment and delivery, was praised by her listeners. Along with her was the Reading Steward, Mr. Andre Samuel.
The Health Authority team included the Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Maeza Demis-Adams; Human Resources Manager, Mrs. Meridith Gumbs; the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Lishaw Ward; the Coordinator of Pharmaceutical Services, Mrs. Sharon Swaving; and pharmacy teams from the Health Authority and private pharmacies – as well as other senior personnel.
Mrs. Swaving delivered a short address in which she stated: “We are celebrating National Pharmacy Week and we have planned a theme that states: ‘Making a difference – one patient at a time.’ During the week we have planned several activities which we would like you to take advantage of. On Wednesday, we will be having an open house and would like you to partake of goodies that we will be distributing to members of the public.
“On Thursday, those of you who are our clients and have questions about your medication, and any adverse effects you may have experienced but really never had a chance to have a one-on-one talk with us; we invite you to come with all of your queries, all of your concerns. This is a time for us to face the public and to rekindle of our friendship even stronger.”
It was an invitation which the church members no doubt appreciated.
The setting in the chapel was both attractive and inspiring. Recently refurbished, following Hurricane Irma, which ripped off the roof of the historic church building, the oldest edifice still in use in the Leeward Islands District of the Methodist Church, Ebenezer Chapel boasts a new and inviting look.
The inside is attractively painted and decorated especially in the sanctuary area. Suspended on the walls are a number of video screens transmitting, through a discreetly and well-positioned revolving gadget, timely views of the congregation, the pulpit and other parts of the sanctuary. Outside, a new roof and reinforcing columns are in place. The refurbished work was done in a careful manner in order to retain the original structure of the church building, which was constructed around 1830 by slaves. One of the first ministers was Rev. John Hodge whose name, influence and service, are still being celebrated today.
In short, Ebenezer Methodist Chapel is a very pleasant place for worship and fellowship – and the visiting Health Authority team certainly went away with that impression.
