ALL communities are impacted by the availability, or lack thereof, of health and social resources in their dwelling places, and in light of this, the Health Ministry has over the years been taking health care services to the grass root, resulting in many Guyanese, especially the elderly, receiving much needed health care. On Tuesday evening, Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, Permanent Secretary, Leslie Cadogan, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Executive Officer Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Michael Khan, Director- Regional Health Service, Dr. Irve Chan and other ministry officials met with the staff of the Enmore Polyclinic, members of the NDC and residents of Enmore to discuss the community’s health and social needs.
The meeting was held at the Enmore Community Centre Ground, and similar  other communities.
Minister Ramsaran noted that the meeting stemmed from concerns raised by residents at a recent health and wellness day hosted in the community. Enmore has a very strong health care presence, since it has the polyclinic which is an extension from the GPHC, and eases the patient load off the hospital.
Some of the concerns raised by residents include seating accommodation under the polyclinic’s shed, inappropriate disposal of garbage, availability of training programmes for youths in the community, need for a bicycle rack at the clinic, repair of x-ray machine and provision of lab services.
With regard to seating accommodation and the provision of a bicycle rack, Khan stated that the latter will be provided and that a meeting will be held with the clinic’s staff to discuss the seating arrangements. The shed was installed last Sunday to accommodate those persons who arrive long before the clinic commences operations at 08:00hrs.
With regard to the garbage disposal issue, it was noted that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) usually collects the garbage once weekly; however due to mechanical problems to the tractor used for disposal, there were setbacks with collection.
The NDC members explained that there is a fine attached to dumping of garbage on the road side, and this matter will be discussed further with the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud at a meeting this week. It is hoped that the NDC will be able to implement the fine to deter residents from inappropriately disposing of garbage.
With regard to the x-ray machine, Khan indicated that a new tube has been sourced for the machine. He added that provision for the installation of a lab at the clinic will be included in the 2013 budget.
It was suggested that the clinic engage in more public education; but this is already in place and is ongoing every Friday at the institution. The staff has plans to carry out medical outreaches in schools in the community and those in surrounding communities.
The Enmore Polyclinic was opened in March, 2002, and provides services including internal medicine, basic pediatrics, orthopaedics, obstetrics, gynaecology and out-patient services. Persons along the East Coast corridor can access service at the institution, instead of approaching the GPHC.