Mora Point residents will soon have access to enhanced health-care services as plans are in train to expand the Region Five community’s health centre.
According to the Government Information Agency (GINA) Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, accompanied by Personal Assistant to the President, Prakash Gossai, on Thursday participated in a ceremonial sod-turning ceremony to mark the start of the project. Construction is expected to start after the rainy season and the building is to be operational by August 2008.
GINA said the initiative is being made possible through a collaborative effort by the ministry, the Mahaicony Culture and Humanitarian Organisation and the Gooblall family of the United States. During a meeting with residents Ramsaran said the project is one that has demonstrated a genuine private, public and community partnership aimed at providing better health services for citizens. “Things are happening in the health sector and we in the Government are committed to working with stakeholders be it from the private or public sectors to continuously improve not only the services but also the conditions of facilities through out Guyana,” he said.
On its completion, the centre is expected to expand the number of services it currently offers. The centre is also expected to be equipped with beds while health-care personnel will be trained in modern health practices. At present the centre is manned by a medex.
The minister urged residents to be vigilant with their health as government is focusing on eradicating preventable diseases. “We should not have the tendency to think that the health post is there and when we get sick, we will go and get treatment. It is better not to get ill at all,” he said.
Ramsaran also said while the sector has faced many challenges this year, it has also seen significant accomplishments. He cited the immunization programme where about 98% of children countrywide have been inoculated against some of the most common diseases. The minister also said efforts are being made to achieve complete immunization in 2008. This includes the introduction of the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine to be administered to every female below the age of nine; to prevent cervical cancer.
GINA said too that in addition to the Mora Point centre, there are about three hundred other such facilities across Guyana. Government is also in the process of building and rehabilitating 28 hospitals including the national referral institution; the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.