April 9, 2008 (Charlestown Nevis) - Minister of Health in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Hon. Hensley Daniel said the health workers on Nevis who were honored for their contribution to health services on Nevis on World Health Day on Monday April 7th was the Ministry’s way of showing appreciation for the important contribution of the workers and to raise their profile.
The Minister voiced an expectation of the private sector to play a role play to honor sanitation workers and help to manage garbage generated by them. He noted that the attitude to health care had gone the wrong way “in a sense”.
He said, “We are generating the garbage and hoping for somebody else to pick it up. In that context I want us to consider we pay five dollars a month to get our garbage disposed eight times. The esthetic value of Nevis is not to be taken for granted.”
The Minister stated that Nevisians have to rethink the job that the honorees perform adding that he regards the contribution they make to be significant because the esthetic value of Nevis must not be taken for granted.
“They have been working to protect us as the theme, say “Protect Health from Climate Change,” he said and disclosed the addition of a new garbage truck to the Department’s sanitation vehicles and a need to re-think the average wage of a sanitation worker.
Honorees recognized from the Environmental Health Department were: Mr. Charles ‘Smallie’ Arthurton Sweeney, Mr. Fred Clarke, Mr. Regional Abbot, Mr. George Herbert, Mr. Elroy Hanley, Joseph Victor Byron, Edmond Dasent and Orvile Smithen.
Those recognised from the Solid Waste Management Unit were: Mr. Gerard Moses Pemberton, Marva Frith and Herbert George. The workers received Service Pins for their years of long service and Certificates of Recognition and cash awards.
