Over 200 auxiliary staff members of the Ministry of Public Health’s Maternal and Child Health Unit were honoured yesterday for International Women’s Day.
The event was held at the ministry’s Brickdam Office and saw the attendance of more than 100 workers from across the country.
Speaking to Stabroek News, Dr. Melissa DeHart, a staffer of the Unit, related that they decided the honour the staff for the first time for their outstanding work over the year.
“It’s one male and the rest are females and we gave them care packages and had an entertainment item for them. The Minister [of Public Health Volda Lawrence] and other heads of department would’ve also spoke to them,” she said.
DeHart explained that Lawrence would’ve given brief remarks to the workers, letting them know that they are appreciated and “to stay strong and also as women how to continue to be strong and that she appreciates the work they do in the Ministry and so.”
Given that this is the first year that the auxiliary workers have been honoured, DeHart said that it is hoped that event becomes an annual fixture.
She also pointed out that different departments from the ministry would have had different programmes to celebrate International Women’s Day. “Food Policy [Department] would’ve done something this morning and the Minister came down before and addressed the security personnel as well. It was a day event and this was the only one that was done under a tent to close off the day,” she added. The theme for this year’s international observances of International Women’s Day was “Better the Balance, Better the World.”
