RESIDENTS of Mora Point, on the Mahaicony Creek, are soon to benefit from a developed community healthcare centre, in keeping with a commitment made yesterday by Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton. During his visit to the area yesterday, Dr Norton was made aware of the current state of the health center which is in dire need of improvement, and residents are also currently affected by recent flash flooding due to heavy rainfall over the past few days.

The Public Health Minister recognised that the medical facility is in need of a permanent medical officer who would be stationed there so that residents could access healthcare whenever the need arises.
Speaking to the Community Health Worker (CHW) stationed there, the Minister was made aware that a medical team visits the centre to treat patients only once per week, which he deemed as unacceptable, considering that there are over 150 families living within the area.
“The facility itself is not in a bad shape, but it can use some minor improvements, but the main focus will be on staffing the health centre,” said Minister Norton.
However, he pointed out that they are in need of a proper cold storage area for vaccines and other medical supplies which need cooling.
STANDS COMMITTED
In speaking to the villagers, Minister Norton made a commitment to ensure that the health center is improved as soon as possible, because it is one of the closest medical facilities for the residents.
He also promised that medical supplies such as medicines and other necessities would be supplied to the health centre.

Meanwhile, Regional Health Officer (RHO) of Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice), Dr. Gavin Singh also promised that he would make arrangements at least within a week for a permanent medical expert to be stationed at the health center.
He highlighted that, “I will try my best to get a medical expert to stay there for at least two months, while there will be a medical team which will visit more often, so that persons could be properly treated.”
Dr. Persaud suggested that a small committee should be formed among the residents so that they can brainstorm ways in which the health facility could be improved, rather than waiting on the RHO or the Minister to visit the area and find the problems.
FLASH FLOODING
The residents, who are heavily burdened by flash flooding resulting from the recent heavy downpours, received a quantity of food items, clothes for both men and women, along with medical supplies.
Speaking to the flood affected persons, Chief Executive Officer of Food for the Poor (Guyana) (FFTP), Kent Vincent disclosed that they were notified by one of their field officers two days ago, “so we decided to gather some stuff and bring it here to help out in whatever way we can.”
Vincent expressed thanks to the Minister of Public Health for supporting them in getting the items to the residents of the area as soon as possible.

Meanwhile Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud also urged residents to remain healthy by taking the necessary precautions such as boiling water before use, using mosquito repellants and so forth.

 
By Navendra Seoraj