Nurse Mary Glavessevich, a Montserrat national, is the Patient Care manager at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre in Toronto, Canada. She accompanied by a friend, spent St. Patrick’s week on island. During her visit she made another tangible contribution to her homeland.
On Sunday, March 20, she handed over two laptop computers to the nurses and the Ministry of Health. This followed the substantial donation last November of a supply of books on breast cancer and other types of cancers, the latest thermometers, eye examination equipment such as a tono meter (and accessories); and diabetic resources for the Montserrat Diabetes Association.
Nurse Mary Glavessevich, who is more fondly known as “Liz Daley” executed the laptops handover in a simple ceremony held at the Tropical Mansion Suites in Sweeney’s. Mrs. Glavessevich happily said that the computers will aid in the development of the Health Sector. “What I found out was that they had to borrow the laptop from the Health Promotion. I felt that it is important for nurses to understand what is happening, understand standards that are being used throughout. I feel having your own laptop would help you to do some research and look at the standard of care that you provide here on the island,” she gestured to the nursing officials._Glavassevitch speaks about donation
Mrs. Glavessevich said she was emotionally affected, after the volcano and that was when she decided to get involved with the Red Cross. “I was distraught. I felt helpless. I needed to find ways of helping me to feel better,” she reminded.
Returning to serve her homeland after the volcano was fulfilling. “I think it was the most rewarding two weeks of my life coming back to work with my people here,” recalling her trip and her recent visit in November.
Mary Glavassevich was born in Salem. She began her training as a nurse at the Glendon Hospital after which she made her way to England where she continued. She studied midwifery in Scotland and later in Canada where she completed her Bachelor and Masters Degrees. Mary Glavassevich departed Montserrat on March.
One of the laptops is for the Health Promotion Unit and the other for the nurses at the hospital. Violet Brown, Community Nursing Manager, accepted the donation on behalf of the Health Promotion Unit and Desreen Silcott, Principal Nursing Officer received for the hospital.
The Principal Nursing Officer recalled that Nurse Glavassevich had discussed her desire to lend a helping hand to the island. She said Mrs. Glavessevich visited Montserrat, saw the needs and took the necessary steps to address some. These areas were not only in nursing but in health promotion. She commended Mrs. Glavessevich for the effort. “I want to say thank you very much for your commitment to nursing and the people of Montserrat,” she told a really happy Mary.
Dr. Michael Owen, Chief Medical Officer, noted that the gifts are extremely valuable, since they will help to keep the sector up to date in an era of changing technology. “The issue of keeping in touch with what is changing, expectations in nursing and indeed medicine is an increasing problem…an increasing challenge,” he said.
The Honourable Minister of Health, Colin Riley was also present to witness the hand-over. He noted that his Ministry uses different strategies to foster closer ties. “We are encouraging it in the Ministry; an all hands on deck approach. This means that we are using our outreach mechanisms to get as many Montserratians to contribute to the value of what we offer our people as health care,” he said.
This was the case with Nurse Glavessevich and other benevolent persons including Dr. Lanval Daly of Canada. According to Minister Riley, the volcanic eruption resulted in many professionals leaving the island.
Minister updates on his Health Ministry
He answered questions from ZJB Radio and The Montserrat Reporter (TMR) who witnessed and recorded the brief ceremony. He looked forward to the new budget year. This year significant sums of money will be injected in the health sector as Government strives to push development forward. He revealed that the funds would go towards actual health care, physical plans, equipment and staff training among other aspects.
A doctor will join the local (hospital) staff as the Ministry continues efforts to upgrade resources. “We believe that when we show interest in people’s careers, they would more likely remain with us,” he said.
Just prior to the handing over of the computers, responding to a ZJB Radio Herman Sergeant question, he noted that his Ministry will continue to tap in to expertise from overseas. Dr. Lanval Daly of Canada made a promise to conduct four specialist clinics this year. The first will be in May.
He informed that very shortly an announcement will be made on the status of the construction of the hospital as well as to outline the plans of local government and the Department for International Development (DFID). The minister pointed out that the Ministry has a design and other specifications in mind. “I would say 12 to 15 months before we know specifically what the allocation is for the construction and we are gonna be collapsing the construction schedule to between 42 and 45 months.”
The Minister hinted his idea to obtain private funding, noting that there is no legislation in the current legal system to cater for this. His thought is to eventually be set up a company which will subsequently be converted to a foundation. The main purpose of this kind of facility will be to accept donations.
TMR Editor Bennette Roach, asked about health insurance in Montserrat in view of losses from CLICO and British American Insurance Co. (BAICO). In response the Minister indicated that a medical benefit scheme or a blended approach may be the way forward. In terms of this, a consultant was hired and work is already ongoing.
“We are looking, very specifically, at the Antigua approach which includes a medical benefit scheme and some of the other approaches in the overseas territories where there are national insurance programmes.” Minister Riley said.
He added the end result may be one similar to a worker/employer financed health insurance and eventually private insurance for those who have the means.
