From left: Sister of Solange Zervos, Monique Johnson; Head of the Paediatrics Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Dr. Angela Jennings (back row), mother of Solange Zervos, Jayn Zervos; Trust Administrator of Royal Fidelity & Merchant Bank, Gail Walters; sister of Solange Zervos, Chantel Bagot; and Administrative Assistant at QEH, Debra Nurse, pose with the incubator for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a gift from the Solange Zervos Trust which was presented to the hospital recently.
Solange Zervos Trust gifts incubator to QEH
THE Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) received a vital life-saving equipment, an incubator from the Solange Zervos Trust recently.
Head of the Paediatrics Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Dr. Angela Jennings, expressed her appreciation to members of Solange Zervos family, who were present for the handing over of the medical equipment valued at $50 000.
The sister of Solange Zervos, Monique Johnson, said that the family can rest assured that the donation along with the care of the QEH will assist in saving babies’ lives, and know for sure that Solange would be very happy with the gift.
She explained that the Solange Zervos Trust is a charity set up in the name of the daughter of Mrs. Jayn Zervos. In 1998, Solange died tragically of Hemorrhagic Dengue Fever at the age of eight. Johnson described Solange as a happy, positive, loving and compassionate child and she brought joy to all who knew her.
“This week she would be celebrating her 30th birthday, if she was still with us, and we are happy to be able to make this donation at this time,” said Johnson.
The family member also mentioned that money was generously donated by a family friend who not long after he met Solange, heard of her passing. The donation was facilitated through the assistance of the Trustees of Royal Fidelity Merchant Bank & Trust (Barbados) Limited and its team, Gail Walters and Carol Gaskin.
Significant number of babies born yearly treated in NICU
Dr. Jennings told the media after the presentation that annually, the hospital records 2 300 deliveries and of these, 450 babies are treated in her department.
She noted that the majority of babies admitted to the NICU are premature and the incubator becomes the “home” for the baby and the patient may stay from a few days to months. She indicated that other reasons babies are admitted to the NICU include infection, heart and respiratory issues.
Presently, there are 19 incubators. However, Dr. Jennings would like to have at least 25 incubators in the unit. She also said that the incubator has a life span of 10-15 years.
“(The QEH is) always in need … and this piece of equipment is vital,” said Dr. Jennings.