MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

Bauxite/alumina producer, Alpart, has granted persons in Manchester funds totalling more than $600,000 to expand micro-enterprise projects.

At a handover ceremony at their Knockpatrick facility, the company presented cheques to nine recipients. Public Relations Officer at Alpart, Julian Keane, said that the beneficiaries went through a rigorous process before they were selected.

The projects are located in the company's operating areas, and were selected on the basis of encouraging self-reliance; impacting on the communities in the areas of training and employment; and demonstrating management skills.

"It is an economic stimulus programme that came into being since the temporary closure of Alpart. We do hope that the recipients, after receiving their grants, will continue to sustain their micro-enterprise businesses," said Keane.

Hospital staff rewarded

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

The Mandeville Regional Hospital awarded 34 persons for their contributions, at its 4th Annual Conference and awards ceremony, held last week at Las Palmas.

Five persons received awards for over 22 years of service, and six retirees, who served from 1970 to 2009, were honoured. Five persons were given special awards.

Nurse Allison Cassanova copped the award for Nursing, in the Departmental Staff Award category as well as the award for Worker of the Year. Twelve persons from various departments received awards in the Departmental Staff category. Two shared the John Junior Award for Customer Service, while awards were also given out to Enrolled Assistant Nurse and Driver of the Year.

The Lion's Club and the Rotary Club of Mandeville, both of which have made donations to the hospital, as well as Mead Johnson and Fontana Pharmacy, were also honoured.

Chief Executive Officer for the Mandeville Regional Hospital, Alwyn Miller, in his report, noted that during 2008-2009, the hospital had no industrial relations disruptions.

He said that the most important element of health-care delivery was a competent and motivated staff, and that employees of the institution were being given recognition for their contributions.

Health department 'cleans up'

FALMOUTH, Trelawny:

The Trelawny Health Department has stepped up monitoring activities in order to maintain good health standards within the parish.

In a report tabled at the monthly meeting of the Trelawny Parish Council, Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector for the parish, Delroy Mowatt, informed that during the month of December, 191 food and beverage establishments were checked. Included in the number were 122 meat shops, 11 restaurants and four hotels.

Of the total, 160 or 84 per cent were found to be in compliance with the health laws. "In fact, during the month, we had nine food establishments that were improved to a state of compliance," he informed.

He pointed out further that approximately six food handlers clinics were held over the period, during which some 299 individuals were certified.

Slaughter houses were also inspected. "For the month, we inspected 997 carcasses weighing 27,524 kilogrammes, of which 304 kilogrammes of meat were condemned for various reasons," he said.