Job in new year for Noel Lochan

HEALTH MINISTER John Rahael made good on his promise to Noel Lochan, 23, who from next month will begin working at the very institution he underwent surgery to remove egg-sized boils from his body the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH). Rahael journeyed to Lochan’s Matilda Road home in Princes Town on Thursday and broke the good news of what was the best ever new year’s gift to the Lochan family.

Rahael had been at the forefront of organising health care for Lochan, as his face and parts of his thighs and back were almost covered by boils in a rare disease known as lymphoma. Lochan was virtually rescued by Princes Town Community Police and EHS medics on February 26 from the confines of his bedroom. Without the financial means to seek private medical attention, Lochan’s parents feared the worst for him. Lochan underwent several surgical operations at SFGH where most of the boils were removed. The surgery has left large scars on his body, and recently some of the boils re-emerged.

The Operation Rainbow medical team, which visited Trinidad recently, described the egg-sized boils as an extremely rare illness. Lochan is due to undergo plastic surgery soon. Rahael has promised to have Lochan undergo tests abroad.  On Thursday, however, he delivered the news personally to Lochan that he is to commence work in the Patients’ Care Assistance Programme at the SFGH. Rahael said Lochan would take up duties as a ward attendant.

With his parents and younger brothers and sisters in the background, Lochan greeted Rahael with a smile when the minister arrived at their humble two-bedroom home. “I am very happy to get a chance to assist my family,” he said. Lochan’s last job before he fell ill was at a chicken  depot. Rahael also presented Lochan with a hamper of goodies and a 2005 almanac produced by the People’s National Movement.