Region 5 gets $32M health centre
Project Manager of the BNTF, Michael Singh, hands over the keys for the new health centre to Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, in the presence of APNU/AFC Parliamentarian Jennifer Wade and other officials
Project Manager of the BNTF, Michael Singh, hands over the keys for the new health centre to Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, in the presence of APNU/AFC Parliamentarian Jennifer Wade and other officials

OFFICIALS of the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) have handed over a $32.2M health centre to the Regional Public Health Department in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice). This was done last Friday.With funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the BNTF had undertaken construction of the health centre at Experiment, in Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, beginning in May 2013.
The overall cost of $32.3M comprised $23.2M from the CDB and $9.1M in counterpart funding from the Government of Guyana.

The recently-completed health centre at Experiment in Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice
The recently-completed health centre at Experiment in Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice

At the handing over ceremony, it was disclosed that the new health centre, with a floor space of 3,060 square feet, will provide primary health care for at least 4,000 persons living in Bath Settlement and contiguous communities.

The building was handed over in a brief ceremony to Public Health Minister Dr George Norton, who then turned the keys over to Community Leader Sandra Baldeo, who in turn gave them to the Regional Administration officials of Region 5.

It was acknowledged by those present that Mrs Baldeo had been a ‘live wire’ in monitoring the construction, and had many times sought help from the BNTF and other agencies to ensure the success of the project.

Among those present at the official handing over were Dr Kay Shako, Director of Regional and Clinical Services of the Ministry of Public Health; Michael Singh, Project Manager of the BNTF; and staffers Dikedemma Utah and Simone Kellman; APNU Parliamentarian for Region 5, Jennifer Wade; Regional Councillor Carol Joseph, and other councilors, and senior staffers of the Regional Democratic Council and the health department in the region.

The building will have to be staffed and equipped with medical supplies and equipment before being formally commissioned.

In brief remarks, Dr Norton said the Government fully recognises the importance of primary healthcare being offered by health centres in communities.

“Many times, when people’s lives are saved by the bigger institution, it is because of the care they got at the primary level — at the level of their first encounter with the healthcare system,” he opined.

He noted that the health centre is a major milestone in the healthcare services for the village and its environs.

The Minister of Public Health also pledged that his Ministry will provide the staff, equipment and supplies needed to get the centre fully operational in the shortest possible time.

Commenting on the large size of the building in comparison to other health centres in Region 5, Michael Singh of the BNTF said the facility was designed to accommodate an upper storey if ever, or whenever, the need for such an addition becomes necessary.

 

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