Anguilla’s children who need critical surgery or other specialized care are set to benefit from the International Hospital for Children (IHC). Last weekend Susan Rickman, President of the IHC was in Anguilla to introduce the programme to the island. She visited the Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming and other Ministers of Government and spoke to the Rotary Club at their weekly meeting.

Susan Rickman and Dr. Franklin Lloyd

IHC is a non-profit, humanitarian organization that provides critical surgical care to children in developing countries in Central America and the Caribbean. It was founded in 1999 and during the past five years has provided thousands of children with life-saving and life-enhancing care. In addition to critical surgery IHC carries out diagnostic tests and prevention programmes and aims to improve pediatric care throughout the countries where they work. The group also addresses each country’s specific health needs in partnership with the country’s government and non government organizations. In Anguilla the Rotary Club has pledged to be the local partner to assist with identifying the children in need of surgery or other treatment. Rotarian Dr Franklin Lloyd will be the coordinator from the club who will ascertain the children in need of treatment and send details to the IHC to be reviewed.

Last year for the first time the IHC held an auction “Treasures in Paradise” where hotels and villas in the Caribbean offered one week vacations as prizes. The auction raised US$340,000.00 and will be held again this year. CuisinArt Resort, Malliouhana and Altamer have pledged support and other hotels and villas are likely to also donate, especially as by giving one week’s vacation the life of a child can be changed or saved. There will be two auctions this year, one in Richmond, Virginia and one in Charlotte, North Carolina. Well-known artist from St Martin, Roland Richardson is in full support of the programme and has pledged three or four paintings for the auction. He met Rickman at Rendezvous Hotel where she was staying.

The IHC provides all assistance for children including housing, travel in the city, surgery, food, and hospital care. The Rotary Club and other organizations will assist with the travel expenses from Anguilla to the USA. The IHC already works in Belize, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, St Vincent & the Grenadines and Guyana.

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