Dear editor,

For the last two months we have been living every family’s nightmare – having a critically injured member of family. Our son is still far from healed, but he is alive and fighting.

Please allow us to use this forum to express our most sincere appreciation to the Intensive Care Unit ‘B’ facility at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). The charge, led by the likes of Dr Carl Bruce, Dr Harding-Goldson, Dr Christopher Rose, Professor Duncan, and more recently Dr Roger Irvine, has battled complication after complication with our son. Their commitment, and that of their teams, have known neither time of day, nor day of the week. They have been so ably supported by a cadre of professional, caring nurses and orderlies.

We have tested the patience of the manager of the ICU ‘B’ facility, Mrs Garcia and her crew – Ms Davies, Ms Perkins and Mr Taylor. They, the ancillary staff and security personnel have had us camping in their reception area daily. They have never made us feel unwelcome or bothersome in any way. Each day they have loved us and given us only the kindest and most understanding support.

Families continue to come and go in the time that we have been up at the UHWI, and we have bonded and supported each other in so many ways. We have seen persons from different walks of faith unite for a single purpose – interceding for a miracle. This experience has reaffirmed for us that Jamaica is indeed ‘Out of many, One people’. There are so many kind, caring and loving people in Jamaica. If we were to unite what a difference it would make.

To all those who have been praying for us, given donations of blood, visited with us in the ICU ‘B’ reception area and parking lot – words fail us as we try to express what your support has meant.

To you and the UHWI we simply and humbly say, ‘Thank you’.

The Habib Family

hb_juls@yahoo.com