Injured Scout In Guyana Mishap Recovering

A Saint Lucian scout who was injured in a traffic accident in Guyana and hospitalized is making good progress with his recovery.

President David Granger has visited little Nick Josh Omari Joseph at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to check on the progress of his recovery.

His mother, Ms. Delia Finistere, was at his bedside during the visit, along with neurosurgeon, Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi, who updated the President on the child’s progress.

The doctor said that the child is likely to be released from hospital this week and can return to his native Saint Lucia, next. “I have already made contact with the neurosurgeon in Saint Lucia, who is going to follow up on his case, but he has made a fair recovery and we continue to monitor him closely,” Dr. Dukhi said.

Eight-year old Joseph and another scout, Darnell Ajani Matthew were injured in in an accident on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown on July 26, during the Caribbean Cuboree, which was being hosted in Guyana. The latter was treated and released and has since returned to Saint Lucia. His mother, Ms. Jacqueline Matthew, who is also a Scout Leader, has remained in Guyana to provide support to Joseph and his mother.

Principal Assistant in the Ministry of the Presidency, Ms. Roxanne Barratt hands over a hamper to Ms. Delia Finistere at the Georgetown Hospital Corporation, while President David Granger looks on

Since the accident, President Granger, who is also the patron of the Scout Association of Guyana, has been deeply concerned for the welfare of the injured children. On July 28, he met with Dr. Dukhi and Dr. Sheik Amir who have been treating the two boys.

Senior Ministry of the Presidency staffer, Ms. Roxanne Barratt, presented a hamper, filled with goodies to Joseph’s mother, for his enjoyment on his recovery.

Meanwhile, the Saint Lucia Government has expressed relief that the critically injured scout is recuperating

A statement yesterday said Prime Minister Allen M. Chastanet had closely monitored developments, following the accident.

It said: “The government is particularly heartened to learn that eight year old Nick Joseph, who was listed as seriously injured in the accident is now out of the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital”.

On Tuesday, Ms. Finistere was in good spirits as she provided an update that her son is due to be discharged from hospital this week. Communication with the boy’s mother will be ongoing to ensure the young Cub Scout makes a full recovery, the statement said.
The Government of Saint Lucia also commended the Guyana Government for providing its full support in the wake of the accident and in particular thanked the President David Granger, who visited Nick Joseph and his mother in hospital.