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MACHEL’S GIFT
Soca superstar gives $100,000 to Children’s Life Fund
By Ria Taitt Political Editor
Story Created: Jun 4, 2013 at 10:04 PM ECT
Story Updated: Jun 5, 2013 at 6:39 AM ECT
Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan yesterday thanked soca superstar Machel Montano for the generous contribution of $100,000 donated by his band, Xtatik Limited, to the Children’s Life Fund—a brainchild of the People’s Partnership Government.
Khan also revealed the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) contributed zero to the fund, which was established in 2010 to provide life-saving medical treatment overseas to sick children.
But the minister disclosed the lion’s share of the $75 million in donations to the fund came from the Trinidad and Tobago taxpayers, who, through the Government, donated $60 million as at January 31, 2013.
Thirty million dollars was paid in October 2011, and $30 million in December 2012.
Government ministers donated $1.4 million, paid through salary deductions, while the financially-challenged State-owned Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) contributed US$199,975 (TT$1.24 million).
Khan was responding to a question in the Senate yesterday.
PNM Senator Fitzgerald Hinds asked whether CAL gave the money after it became cash-strapped.
Hinds also asked whether the $100,000 donated by Montano might have been offset by the $5 million which the Government gave him “for an album we have never seen”.
The Government had given Montano $5 million to produce the Going for Gold album. The album was, in fact, launched last year.
Khan told Hinds he would not answer a question that imputes improper motives to people.
Montano’s mother and manager, Liz Montano, told the Express her son had given the $100,000 to the Children’s Fund long before the Going for Gold project was on the cards. She said it was when he went to London in 2011.
Machel Montano, along with fellow artiste Denyse Plummer and T&T businessmen, had accompanied Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to London, England, to showcase Trinidad and Tobago during Commonwealth Week.
The Going for Gold project took place last year and an album was produced by Montano.
Liz Montano said her son had told the Government he did not want any returns, and the Government should put any profits made on that project into the Music Development Fund and the Children’s Life Fund.
PNM Senator Pennelope Beckles asked whether the $60 million submitted by the Government was budged for in the last Appropriation Act.
Khan said it was, under allocations to the Ministry of Health.
Hinds, apparently stung by the minister’s revelation that the PNM had given not one cent to the fund, said $60 million meant every single citizen, including members of the Opposition, contributed to the fund and he called on Khan to acknowledge this. But Khan fought back.
“The Member of the Opposition is grasping at straws, caught behind the wicket with a question he presented. The Government is not the Opposition.
“The monies ($60 million) came from the coffers of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. And we are grateful that the people of Trinidad and Tobago can donate to the Children’s Fund.”
Among the other organisations contributing to the fund were the Consular Corps of Trinidad and Tobago, which gave $100,000.
The Trinidad and Tobago Consulate General in Toronto and New York also gave contributions.
When Hinds asked whether these donations came through salary deductions, Khan said he was amazed someone who didn’t give a cent to the fund was asking questions.
Among other contributions, over-the-counter bank donations accounted for $203,757.03; the Prime Minister’s Golf Classic ($100,000); ABM Ltd ($100,000); Bombay Dreams ($75,000); National Energy Corporation ($150,000); and Indian High Commission Women’s Group ($25,000).
UML wrote:Since it is a PP initiative, they dont contribute, they dont support it and sickness is for everyone and does not discriminate. Do you think it should be continued by the PNM when in government? Or will it die a political death?
rfari wrote:UML wrote:Since it is a PP initiative, they dont contribute, they dont support it and sickness is for everyone and does not discriminate. Do you think it should be continued by the PNM when in government? Or will it die a political death?
When the pnm get back in govnt i dont see any reason not to continue the fund. Not like rowley issa malicious person
UML wrote:rfari wrote:UML wrote:Since it is a PP initiative, they dont contribute, they dont support it and sickness is for everyone and does not discriminate. Do you think it should be continued by the PNM when in government? Or will it die a political death?
When the pnm get back in govnt i dont see any reason not to continue the fund. Not like rowley issa malicious person
but no contributions?
rfari wrote:UML wrote:Since it is a PP initiative, they dont contribute, they dont support it and sickness is for everyone and does not discriminate. Do you think it should be continued by the PNM when in government? Or will it die a political death?
When the pnm get back in govnt i dont see any reason not to continue the fund. Not like rowley issa malicious person
rfari wrote:UML wrote:rfari wrote:UML wrote:Since it is a PP initiative, they dont contribute, they dont support it and sickness is for everyone and does not discriminate. Do you think it should be continued by the PNM when in government? Or will it die a political death?
When the pnm get back in govnt i dont see any reason not to continue the fund. Not like rowley issa malicious person
but no contributions?
What about the chirren? Thts whats more imprtnt? U gonna take that away from the chirren? U want to play politics with chirrens lives when pnm get re-elected?
DionYorker wrote:rfari wrote:UML wrote:Since it is a PP initiative, they dont contribute, they dont support it and sickness is for everyone and does not discriminate. Do you think it should be continued by the PNM when in government? Or will it die a political death?
When the pnm get back in govnt i dont see any reason not to continue the fund. Not like rowley issa malicious person
I agree is not like the PNM does go out of there way to provoke racial injustice and discrimination. Its just unnatural to think that they will ever waste money on trivial concepts while children die....Mr Rowley is a fine example of a leader....he says what he has to....never mind it doh make any sense...
PNM+In government= Jostiss.....
Bring back the ole time days ah being duncy....
Due to lack of funds, baby Marissa dies
Thursday, October 30 2008
As her family struggled to raise funds for life-saving liver transplant surgery, baby Marissa Ramlal simply could not hold on. She died on Sunday at her family’s home at Scott’s Road, Penal. Her funeral is being planned for Saturday.
Ramlal was in critical condition and suffering the effects of a damaged liver. Her family had to raise $1.8 million for surgery in the United States. They had accumulated more than $500,000 through fundraising activities and donations.
Whatever hope the family entertained that help would come from the Health Ministry was dashed. “They don’t care,” a relative of Ramlal said yesterday.
Dr Navi Muradali, Chairman of HealthCare Watch (a group of doctors and nurses monitoring the delivery of health care) last week sent a letter to the Health Minister Jerry Narace and Social Development Minister Dr Amery Browne about establishing a unit to co-ordinate activities for children requiring medical attention abroad, and a state fund for support cases.
In an interview yesterday Muradali said there has been no response.
Muradali said Ramlal’s death reinforced the need for the unit. “We hope that another baby does not die because something is not done.”
He said Ramlal’s death was a tragedy which was preventable because surgery is available.
Muradali said “the incidence of babies being born with congenital defects is on the increase.”
With healthcare costs increasing globally, he said the same set of donors cannot be expected to give all the time. “This reinforces the need for the State to get involved.”
He said even if the Government set up a fund with $25 million, the interest could be used to help fund surgeries abroad.
Muradali said there were TT specialist doctors working abroad who have not returned home. He said they should be given incentives to work locally in specialised programmes.
Last Friday HealthCare Watch and Congress of the People delivered a letter to House Speaker Barendra Sinanan asking him to use his position to “place on the Order Paper” the establishment of the Children’s Unit as a matter of urgent national importance.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,88934.html
zoom rader wrote:^^^ heartless PNM
zoom rader wrote:^^^ heartless PNM
hustla_ambition101 wrote:Isn't there a state of the art Hospital being built for children, hopefully in the coming years children can get treated right here.
UML wrote:Should the PNM continue the Children's Life Fund when in government?
shogun wrote:UML wrote:Should the PNM continue the Children's Life Fund when in government?
*rubs eyes*
rfari wrote:IF the pnm get back in govt i dont see any reason not to continue the fund. Not like rowley issa malicious person
toyota2nr wrote:rfari wrote:IF the pnm get back in govt i dont see any reason not to continue the fund. Not like rowley issa malicious person
Please tell me you're joking dude.......
UML wrote:Due to lack of funds, baby Marissa dies
Thursday, October 30 2008
As her family struggled to raise funds for life-saving liver transplant surgery, baby Marissa Ramlal simply could not hold on. She died on Sunday at her family’s home at Scott’s Road, Penal. Her funeral is being planned for Saturday.
Ramlal was in critical condition and suffering the effects of a damaged liver. Her family had to raise $1.8 million for surgery in the United States. They had accumulated more than $500,000 through fundraising activities and donations.
Whatever hope the family entertained that help would come from the Health Ministry was dashed. “They don’t care,” a relative of Ramlal said yesterday.
Dr Navi Muradali, Chairman of HealthCare Watch (a group of doctors and nurses monitoring the delivery of health care) last week sent a letter to the Health Minister Jerry Narace and Social Development Minister Dr Amery Browne about establishing a unit to co-ordinate activities for children requiring medical attention abroad, and a state fund for support cases.
In an interview yesterday Muradali said there has been no response.
Muradali said Ramlal’s death reinforced the need for the unit. “We hope that another baby does not die because something is not done.”
He said Ramlal’s death was a tragedy which was preventable because surgery is available.
Muradali said “the incidence of babies being born with congenital defects is on the increase.”
With healthcare costs increasing globally, he said the same set of donors cannot be expected to give all the time. “This reinforces the need for the State to get involved.”
He said even if the Government set up a fund with $25 million, the interest could be used to help fund surgeries abroad.
Muradali said there were TT specialist doctors working abroad who have not returned home. He said they should be given incentives to work locally in specialised programmes.
Last Friday HealthCare Watch and Congress of the People delivered a letter to House Speaker Barendra Sinanan asking him to use his position to “place on the Order Paper” the establishment of the Children’s Unit as a matter of urgent national importance.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,88934.html
toyota2nr wrote:UML wrote:Due to lack of funds, baby Marissa dies
Thursday, October 30 2008
As her family struggled to raise funds for life-saving liver transplant surgery, baby Marissa Ramlal simply could not hold on. She died on Sunday at her family’s home at Scott’s Road, Penal. Her funeral is being planned for Saturday.
Ramlal was in critical condition and suffering the effects of a damaged liver. Her family had to raise $1.8 million for surgery in the United States. They had accumulated more than $500,000 through fundraising activities and donations.
Whatever hope the family entertained that help would come from the Health Ministry was dashed. “They don’t care,” a relative of Ramlal said yesterday.
Dr Navi Muradali, Chairman of HealthCare Watch (a group of doctors and nurses monitoring the delivery of health care) last week sent a letter to the Health Minister Jerry Narace and Social Development Minister Dr Amery Browne about establishing a unit to co-ordinate activities for children requiring medical attention abroad, and a state fund for support cases.
In an interview yesterday Muradali said there has been no response.
Muradali said Ramlal’s death reinforced the need for the unit. “We hope that another baby does not die because something is not done.”
He said Ramlal’s death was a tragedy which was preventable because surgery is available.
Muradali said “the incidence of babies being born with congenital defects is on the increase.”
With healthcare costs increasing globally, he said the same set of donors cannot be expected to give all the time. “This reinforces the need for the State to get involved.”
He said even if the Government set up a fund with $25 million, the interest could be used to help fund surgeries abroad.
Muradali said there were TT specialist doctors working abroad who have not returned home. He said they should be given incentives to work locally in specialised programmes.
Last Friday HealthCare Watch and Congress of the People delivered a letter to House Speaker Barendra Sinanan asking him to use his position to “place on the Order Paper” the establishment of the Children’s Unit as a matter of urgent national importance.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,88934.html
If we had that fund under the PNM that child could have been saved. Where was Rowley then? rfari do you know? These are the people you and Habit7 wanna put in government. People who let a little innocent child die because she was from an opposition constituency. We the people must never forget the evil that took place.
Big Brown Locomotive wrote:^^ It is also "evil" to waste $6 million on a fire tender that could have gone to saving other lives fingerpointer.
Rooki3 wrote:Big Brown Locomotive wrote:^^ It is also "evil" to waste $6 million on a fire tender that could have gone to saving other lives fingerpointer.
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