Helping Bermuda's healthcare is Why It Matters

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21: Healthcare matters to each and every one of us at some time in our lives and thanks to a new fundraising campaign we all have the opportunity to give something back.

The Bermuda Hospitals Charity Trust has initiated a drive to raise the $40 million down payment required for the new $247 million hospital and is now calling on the public to donate. The Why It Matters campaign was launched in April and the trust, the charitable arm of the Bermuda Hospitals Board, has, so far, been focusing on the corporate community. It has managed to raise half of the required funds but still needs $20 million before March 31, 2014.

The campaign’s focus has now switched to the general public who will be learning more about Why It Matters in the weeks to come.

DeShae DeShields, marketing manager for BHCT, said: “Because health care is something that impacts each and every one of us, we have been having talks with several companies and individuals about the importance of this campaign.

“We know that right now the economic climate might not be the best but we want to give people the opportunity to pledge over a few years.”

Paget Health Services is the consortium of local and international firms chosen to design, build, finance and maintain the new building on the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital on Point Finger Road. The new building will be a purpose-built scturcture that addresses the shortage of space for acute care services detailed in the 2008 Johns Hopkins International Phase III review. It will include 90 single occupancy patient rooms, Bermuda’s first dedicated day surgery unit, ambulatory care services including oncology, dialysis, asthma and diabetes. It will also provide diagnostic imaging services, a new emergency room and a new utility plant.

As part of the Why It Matters campaign, BHCT is initiating an awareness drive in the coming weeks.

“Once we educate the public we then want to invite their support.

“We want the public to know about what to expect from this new building. We are letting them know. We are working on a website — www.bhct.bm — which will be up and running by the end of this month.”

BHCT will be holding town hall meetings and also engaging with private briefings.

There will be a number of community events throughout the next few years with groups and organizations around the island.

Anyone who wants to organize a private talk can contact BHCT.

The first awareness event is a community paint day on site the site on Point Finger Road October 8 (rain date October 15). Volunteers, particularly students, are invited to paint the hoardings around the site advertising Why It Matters.

Community service hours will be awarded to those students who participate.