CONTRACTS have been awarded for the construction of two new Health Centers in Region Five, at a total cost of $47M, both won by G. Singh Contracting Services.

Regional Engineer, Mr Dhanpaul Sukha said that the contracts for a new health centre at Carlton Hall Mahaicony costing $23M and one at Cotton Tree Village West Coast Berbice costing $24M had been signed earlier this week.

The contractor is expected to complete and handover both buildings, which are to be built according to “smart health facilities” standards in ten weeks. The concept of “Smart” health facilities state that they create dynamic and engaging settings that cater to the individualised needs of patients and identify opportunities for staff and administrators that broaden treatment options, as well as where that treatment is provided.

The credo is: “Safe + Green =Smart.”
Sukha recently explained that there are certain facilities which will be built into the two centres such as a ramp for access by disabled persons, washroom facilities for handicapped people, lots of natural ventilation, adequate fire protection, as well as green economy concepts such as installation of LED light bulbs in the buildings instead of the traditional fluorescent lights.

The centre at Carlton Hall will replace the building currently being used at neighbouring High Dam.

Sukha explained that the building at High Dam was more of a community building than a health facility and had the major disadvantage that the health facilities were on the upper floor building thereby posing a hazard for patients who had to negotiate the stairs. The centre at Mon Choisi replaces the one currently at Cotton Tree, which had been constructed on a plot of privately owned land.