Press Release

Bridgetown Barbados – Elderly clients at the Geriatric Hospital now have a more comfortable environment thanks to the donation of close to three dozen fans from Sagicor. The insurance and financial solutions provider recently donated 35 fans to the elderly care facility on Beckles Road St. Michael.

The donation was made possible through a call to Sagicor’s staff, who were invited to contribute toward the purchase of the fans. The response was overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the collective spirit of giving within the company.

Shane Howell, Vice President of Employee Experience and Strategy at Sagicor, emphasized the company’s long-standing dedication to the wellness of vulnerable communities. "If we really think about what is happening in our wider space, we all can relate to the fact that Barbados has been much hotter than it has been for a very long time. We thought about how this donation would impact a particularly vulnerable group within our wider society. Given the situation with the heat, we thought to ourselves, given their position and being some of the most vulnerable persons susceptible to heat-related illness, this was a community that we wanted to support. The team got on board very quickly, and we are very happy to make this donation."

Heather Payne-Drakes, Acting Manager of the Geriatric Hospital, expressed gratitude for the donation, highlighting its significance for both the clients and the staff. "This is a gift that we all welcome, not just the clients, but the staff as well. We can appreciate how warm it is, and we thank you so very much for thinking of us and considering our elderly clients, those who have contributed to Barbados."

The Geriatric Hospital has a 278-bed capacity and 18 wards. They currently have 245 patients and 365 staff members.