Ward C9 of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) had reconstructive surgery to the tune of a $600,000 renovation in the memory of one of Barbados’ leading evangelists.

The Ivy-Viola Williams Foundation, led by brothers Paul and Peter Williams, provided the refurbishment, which includes state of the art equipment designed to reduce germs and save money.

The announcement of the upgrade was celebrated by congregation member Dr Anne Hassell during a media conference at the Martindales Road facility.

Trustee of the Ivy-Viola Williams Foundation Paul Williams said the renovation was “a much needed” one. He was confident that there would be significant benefits when it was completed – when the ward was reopened, Rosemary Ward, widow of the late Holmes Williams reopened C9 in memory of the pastor who founded The People’s Cathedral.

Williams said they took the decision to renovate the ward after a discussion with the head of the department of medicine Dr Anne-Marie Hassell in January who outlined the expected benefits.

“A drastically improved C9 would offer an upgrade in the delivery of health care in this ward. It will definitely allow the patients a larger percentage of recovery and it will also take the stress off the Accident & Emergency, particularly those heart patients who are on monitors,” said Williams.

“So by improving the efficiencies on this ward there are a lot of different synergies that will benefit the hospital and the other wards that are critical to life in this hospital,” added Williams.

During renovation, patients were temporarily housed in other areas of the hospital.