U.S. Southern Command officers begin work on the new health centre.

The La Penitence health centre is being constructed at a cost of US$350,000. It is a 30 feet by 90 feet structure, with four examination rooms, an office, a waiting room and washrooms.

Phase One of the project, the foundation, was done by local contracting agency V.I Graham Associates, while the site was chosen based on the need for health services in the area because of the dense population.

The health centre is expected to offer primary health care services, deal with minor surgeries, operate a pharmacy and have an active maternal and child health care programme.

Offloading supplies for the construction.

He said that arrangements are being made to place at the centre a doctor, a full-time Medex, a nurse, a midwife, two nursing assistants, a Dentex, a pharmacist or a pharmacy assistant, along with ancillary staff.

The completion of the centre is expected by September 10, 2009, and will be the result of the efforts of 650 American soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen.

Contributions for Completion

Chief of Engineering, Lt. Col. John Buse, explained that the 650 volunteers are reserve forces who will be arriving in batches for two-week periods until the project is completed.

“These are people from all walks of life, with different careers, outside service with the United States forces, who take two weeks from their schedules to come down here and assist,” Buse said.

He stated that the project is one of several under the New Horizons Guyana programme, overseen by U.S Southern Command.

The others includes a school house construction site in Bel Air, Georgetown; a school house renovation project in Timehri; a dental outreach at the Diamond Secondary School; and medical assistance to several health care institutions.

The Task Force Commander, Lt. Col. Patrick Keenan, asserted that these projects yield two-fold benefits as Guyanese have their quality of life improved and the volunteers receive training.

This, Lt. Col. Marvin Todd indicated, was what partnerships entailed as the venture was an organization formed by two groups working together for some purpose.

He added that his impression of Guyana’s health care system and health care delivery was a good one.