THE recently opened East La Penitence Health Centre in Georgetown is fully operational but additional infrastructural work is being done to ensure security there. Director of Regional Health Services (RHS) in the Ministry of Health, Dr Narine Singh said a guard hut is primary among the construction works being done on the premises.

Singh said the clinic has a full complement of staff to attend the general public.

It was built by United States soldiers and commissioned by President Bharrat Jagdeo last September, marking the end of a successful four-month New Horizons humanitarian project in Guyana.

The programme was designed to strengthen U.S. ties with partner nations in Central and South America, through combined quality-of-life improvement projects.

In Guyana, all were done at a cost of US$9M.
While the new centre has boosted capacity in the health sector, there has been no reduction in the workload at the previously existing North East La Penitence Health Centre as population in the target area has grown.

Singh posited, though, that, in time persons, will utilise the new centre because it is larger and would offer more services.

He said the North East Centre is smaller and is a bit cramped, resulting in the decision to erect the other.

Singh indicated that the former will continue operations as the Health Ministry pursues in its quest to deliver quality health care.

Medex Carol Orna, at North East La Penitence, reported that it is visited by between 40 and 50 persons daily.
A midwife and a nurse also posted there attend to patients with diabetes, hypertension and maternal and child health, as well.