THE Vivienne Parris Health Centre at Central Mackenzie, Linden went up in flames early yesterday morning leaving disgusted Lindeners in utter disbelief.
The fire is believed to be electrical in nature. Government has already begun taking steps to find alternative arrangements to continue providing health services to Lindeners.
In an invited comment yesterday Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran said this is a significant loss for the primary health care system, having created a negative impact on the maternal and child health programme being undertaken at the health centre.
“It is a significant loss for the primary health care system… We got the report this morning, and we are saddened by the news. It’s a blow to the health care system in Linden, and Region Ten more particularly,” Ramsaran stated.
He called the fire a major setback, since more Amerindian communities would have been benefiting services offered by this health centre.
Notwithstanding, Dr Ramsaran said that the Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Irv Chan, has already begun actively pursuing arrangements within the region to assist residents.
“We are awaiting a full report from the police, and we are allowing them to do (the) investigation,” he stated.
Ramsarran said no one has been reported injured in the blaze, and also significant amounts of drugs have been saved.
“I’m told that we were able to save a significant amount of drugs. The health centre was built some time back, so I can’t say how much it is going to cost to do build now,” he pointed out.
Minister Ramsaran assured that Government is committed to providing all necessary health services for its citizens; and as such, the right steps will be taken after discussions at cabinet today.
“We are raising the issue at cabinet tomorrow …we are putting the community’s health on the front burner,” he said.
Dr Ramsaran said the first step that will be taken would ensure that citizens are benefiting from the available resources, while putting in place a plan to replace the destroyed health centre.
He pointed out that while there is a lot that he wishes to do for the people of Linden in this regard, there is still an issue of financing.
“Due to the wickedness of some people, we are now rebuilding a school, also in Linden; and this has created an added pressure on the financial situation,” he lamented.
However, he said the ministry would explore all options in providing services and mobilising funds to begin works in the town.
He said that the hospital, over the years, has been doing well in providing health care for the region’s residents.