Arima is expected to benefit from the state-of-the-art Arima Diagnostic Clinic (ADC) and Research Institute at 25-28 Hollis Avenue, close to Arima Velodrome.
The $30 million facility will boast two operating theatres, inpatient facilities, a 24-hour accident and emergency specialist clinic, a healthy eating restaurant and obstetric services.
Rev Dr Margaret Elcock, president/CEO of the Family Focus Broadcasting Network and ISAAC 98.1, paid kudos to hospital CEO Helen Alleyne and her family at the launch and dinner celebration at the banquet hall of Eastern Credit Union, Sorzano Street, Arima, on Saturday night.
Alleyne was also hailed as a pioneer, since she started the first school of ultrasound sciences and several speakers who brought greetings called for Alleyne to be conferred with a national award during Independence celebrations on August 31.
Elcock labelled Alleyne a “visionary”, in the presence of her spouse/managing director Benjamin Alleyne and children Doctor of Engineering (PhD) Ian, medical doctor Ron, hospital manager Megan and University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) biomedical engineering student Okon.
The matriarch of the family, Alleyne’s 90-year-old mother Olive Caton, whom she described as “the best business adviser”, also attended the vent.
They were joined by Hamid O’Brien, adviser to Minister of Health Dr Fuad Khan, Justice Lloyd Elcock, Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT) executive director Michael Bradshaw, chairperson Nicole Larsen, Newsday editor-in-chief Jones P Madeira, medical doctors Spencer Perkins and Daniel Otajele and Bishop Andrew John, who said the commissioning prayer.
Another highlight of the elegant evening was the presentation of awards to deserving employees.
“The ADC is a vision whose time has come. I am deeply moved because I am witnessing the fulfilment of the vision of Helen, one of my dearest friends. When she shared her dream, we would laugh a lot about these crazy ideas. God opened incredible doors that only he could. Her dreams came to pass,” said Elcock.
“As a visionary, you learn certain principles, people will always be there waiting to help you. If you have no dream or if you do not begin to act on it, the people who are supposed to help you won’t know where to find you,” she added.
Slipping into her motivational speaker role, Elcock imparted kernels of wisdom to the audience.
“Write your vision down. Make it plain and articulate it. Be careful whom you allow to influence you. Your vision can either be encouraged or destroyed by others. People have the potential to create your environment. Your environment determines your mindset, your mindset determines your future. Choose your friends wisely.”
O’Brien said it was important to form public and private partnerships to assist the population. He also spoke about the dialysis programme which Minister Khan had unveiled to improve time and reduce costs.
He also said health tourism can only be successful if Trinidad and Tobago can provide quality health care institutions. He said the Ministry had signed a memorandum of understanding with COSTAAT/Skills Training to develop a nursing programme and arrest the critical demand for nurses.
O’Brien lauded Alleyne for having the vision to establish a diagnostic centre.
During her remarks, Alleyne, a radiographer, said the clinic was born out of a passion for providing health care services, including ultrasound, X-rays and mammograms.
“I was acutely aware of the absence of the imaging sciences, there was no medical science. Little did I know at that time the provision of these basic services would lead to opportunities for providing full medical services,” she said.
Alleyne said her family has learnt to rely upon God’s unchanging love and the grace so freely given through faith in Jesus Christ.
source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com / Trinidad Express Newspapers / Home> News / by Michelle Loubon / March 15th, 2015
