The Anguilla Community Action Network (ACAN) is a health-oriented advocacy group that was initially founded by Mr. John C. Lake in 2006 for the support of HIV and cancer patients.
On Tuesday, December 14th, Dr. Maher Soudah of Florida, through the kind affiliation with ACAN presented the Princess Alexandra Hospital with some much appreciated medical supplies.
Among members of the media and invited guests, the official presentation was essentially made in the company of the Honourable Premier and Minister of Health, Dr. Ellis Webster; the Honourable Minister of Commerce and Trade, Mr. Kyle Hodge; CEO of the Health Authority, Dr. Maeza Demis-Adams; Dr. Maher Soudah, and Mr. John C. Lake of ACAN.
Mr. Malcolm Webster, the Facilities Manager of the Health Authority, was called upon to pray God’s blessings, and to give Him thanks for the supplies.
Permanent Secretary of Health, Mr. Foster Rogers, said during the handover of the supplies: “We are gathered here today to receive some special gifts that have been offered by Dr. Soudah to the hospital and to the health services of Anguilla. We always welcome gifts for our people.”
He continued: “These are difficult times—financially and emotionally— and there are so many travel restrictions. Even to get from St. Maarten to Anguilla these days call for a lot of effort and financial resources. In many cases, persons are not allowed to travel without proof of vaccination. The times are such that we can’t even refer patients overseas anymore unless they are vaccinated. These are indeed difficult times. The world is no longer the way it was eighteen months ago, and we have to get accustomed to the new normal.
“However, it is heartwarming to know that even in these difficult times persons like Dr. Soudah can make contributions to the government and people of Anguilla. His benevolence is certainly accepted, cherished, and appreciated, as he contributes to the health sector in a kind and selfless manner.”
Mr. Rogers also publicly thanked Mr. John Lake for his hard work as a pioneer of ACAN, and said that John has certainly been a fixture in health-related advocacy in Anguilla over many years.
Premier Dr. Ellis Webster is an advisor of ACAN. In his brief address during the handover. He described how Dr. Soudah was contacted by a medical student by the name of Hanadi Abdelhadi, who informed him of the dedicated efforts of Mr. Lake in the ACAN organization. He congratulated John for dedicating fifteen years of ACAN service to Anguilla and its people.
The Premier observed: “Covid has required that the Health Authority exercise a concerted effort. Dr. Soudah is a benevolent man. He trained in Grenada in medicine, and his kindness is evident. Is love for Anguilla is tremendous. When you speak with him and hear the things that he wants to do for the country in the area of medicine, it is encouraging.”
Dr. Soudah said: “It gives me pleasure to help other people. I love to work with medical teams. Honestly, from day one I felt like Anguillians were my family. I do feel Anguillian, even though I may look and speak differently. I feel like I was born here. Everywhere I go here in Anguilla from the supermarket to the gas station – I am welcomed.”
He said that this presentation to the hospital is just the beginning of future projects that he would like to bring to fruition. He said: “I am looking foward to do more for the health sector, with the Premier’s guidance and supervision; I am very thankful for your welcome. I am looking forward for many years ahead to make Anguilla a better country.”
Mr. John Lake spoke highly of Soudah: “It was a pleasure for me to invite him to Anguilla, after my first conversation with him that lasted almost an hour. Apart from delivering to the hospital today, Dr. Soudah has also furnished ACAN with an office and a car for transportation. I thank God for Dr. Soudah, especially in times like these when the Covid pandemic is affecting us. We can accomplish much going forward with the collaboration of Dr. Soudah. So, Dr. Soudah, thanks once again.”
Accepting the supplies on behalf of the hospital was the Health Authority’s CEO, Dr. Maeza Demis-Adams. “No one can whistle a symphony, she noted. ‘It takes an entire orchestra to play it.’ Heath care is very complex. It takes stakeholders across communities and across countries to ensure that we all work together for the improvement of these health services.
“It was a pleasure to meet with Dr. Soudah, and we spoke a lot about collaboration. I am most grateful for the donations given by him. The opportunity to receive these medical supplies would allow us to buy the much needed equipment that is so essential to the health of the people of Anguilla. We want to protect the health of the people of Anguilla.
“So, on behalf of the Health Authority, the Board and the people of Anguilla, I want to say thank you, Dr. Soudah for your generous donation.”
