Over the years, Vincentians at home and in the diaspora have been sensitised to the plight of many persons in SVG who are living with kidney disease.
It continues to be a financial and emotional burden for those who battle kidney disease, which historically involved persons having to travel out of SVG to obtain treatment. This has been mitigated significantly in the past two years, with the presence of a local dialysis facility, Health Solutions Inc.
Local and foreign individuals, as well as charitable organisations have assisted and continue to assist kidney patients with their treatment at the local dialysis facility. This is commendable but not, understandably, inexhaustible.
Towards enhancing these philanthropic efforts, and towards encouraging increased assistance for those who treatment for kidney disease, the Kidney Society of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Inc. (www.kidneysocietysvg.com) has been formed.
The role of this Society is threefold:
- to heighten awareness of kidney disease in SVG;
- to assist patients with their ongoing medical treatment for kidney disease which includes but is not limited to dialysis;
- carry out social and fundraising activities to assist patients in managing their ongoing treatment regime.
The Board of The Kidney Society of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Inc. is composed of Dr. Malcolm Samuel, principal of Surgical Associates, General and Renal Transplant Surgeon; Jerry George, public relations manager, Digicel Eastern Caribbean; Norlann Gabriel, country manager (SVG), First Citizens Investment Services Ltd.; and Desiree Richards, chief executive officer of Metrocint General Insurance Co. Ltd. and Managing Director of The Vincentian newspaper.
The Board encourages persons and organisations who are interested in making financial donations to do so by depositing funds to the Society’s account at the First St. Vincent Bank Ltd. Lot 112, Granby Street, Box 154 Kingstown, St. Vincent, Account No: 100009896001.
For more information on The Kidney Society of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Inc., please do so by email at [email protected] or call 784-534-3581.