Lt. Col Junior Browne (right), who serves as Coordinator of the Barbados Defence Force’s Medical Emergency Team, speaks about how the donation of medical equipment and supplies will assist the BDF, as Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF), Colonel Glyne Grannum (left) and Major David Binks, Facilities Manager look on.
The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) is seeking to strengthen its medical capabilities and a recent donation of medical equipment from the Rotary Club of Barbados West to the BDF, to the tune of just over Bds $36,000, will assist in this endeavour.
Lt. Col Junior Browne, who serves as Coordinator of the Barbados Defence Force’s Medical Emergency Team acknowledged the above, as he joined Chief of Staff of the BDF, Colonel Glyne Grannum and other BDF personnel in the Officers’ Mess at St. Ann’s Fort, The Garrison, St. Michael yesterday, to receive the donation of medical equipment and supplies.
“This donation from the Rotary Club of Barbados West to the Barbados Defence Force’s Field Medical Facility, will enable the Barbados Defence Force to build its capability to respond to medical emergencies, not only here in Barbados, but across the region as well,” Lt. Col. Browne asserted.
“As you know, the Barbados Defence Force and Barbados is part of CDEMA’s regional response mechanism. So therefore, we do have some responsibility going forward post disaster, to our neighbours throughout the region. So this addition of equipment will see us being able to move more towards the Type 2 WHO (World Health Organisation) classification of the emergency medical teams,” he said.
He stressed, “The BDF is well known for its security related responses, but however, we want to strengthen our ability to respond, in terms of medical and our engineering capabilities.”
Chief of Staff of the BDF, Colonel Glyne Grannum also placed on record his appreciation for the donation.
“We are very happy that Rotary can come on board with us as a partner, in this community effort. We are very, very happy and very appreciative,” he said of the donation which included a nebuliser, oxygen masks, a defibrillator, an industrial fridge for the blood bank, a suction pump, an oxygen concentrator and other supplies.
President of the Rotary Club of Barbados, Trevor Williams meanwhile remarked, “We are glad to be able to assist in this regard. Fundraising may be a bit challenging, but we will continue to ensure that we assist, wherever possible.”
Immediate Past President of the Club, Jean St. John meanwhile gave details about how the donation became possible.
“The Rotary Club of Barbados West, with funding from a District Grant, was able to donate to the BDF Emergency Medical Team Facility equipment valued at $36,031.13.
“On behalf of the Rotary Club of Barbados West, I would like to say thank you to our many friends and supporters of Rotary events and projects. When you give to Rotary, your donation becomes a gift that keeps on giving. Your support enables Rotarians to contribute to the Rotary Foundation, which in turn provides funding, in the form of District Grants,” St. John remarked. (RSM)