CEO of the Berbice Regional Health Authority [BRHA], Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, has observed that residents of Mount Sinai and its environs are underutilising the services of the Angoy’s Avenue Health Centre. He made this observation during the Health Centre’s first Open Day. In his report, he noted that since the opening of the health facility on February 9, 2013, just under 200 persons from a catchment of 15,000 had sought

the intervention of the doctor.
“These residents are not utilising the skills and time of the doctor effectively. If the people of Angoy’s Avenue do not need a doctor, we will move the person”! he said.
“For some reason or another, people prefer to go see the same doctor at the New Amsterdam Hospital than at the Angoy’s Avenue Health Centre. The treatment will not be different, as the public health services provide the same drugs across the sector. Nothing is different’, he lamented.
Dr Mahadeo disclosed that the services were extended in an effort to make life easier for residents.
“I told the doctor to work from 13:00 to 21:00hrs, which will allow the clinic to be accessed by those who would have completed their chores or work,” he said.
‘But the people need to be educated and convinced. They need to know that the services are better than those of the New Amsterdam Hospital, as it has a more individualistic approach,” Dr Mahadeo lamented.

Residents were further criticised for their non-involvement in the recently held blood drive, during which only six units were extracted.

“Out of a catchment of 15,000, just six units of blood…? I know of a case that went to the New Amsterdam Hospital from this very area, and that individual utilised six units,” he emphasised.
“The target for this health centre is 200 units. While it might be difficult convincing people the first time round, thereafter, they will catch on as they are educated.

In her report, nurse in charge, June Daniels, noted that while the clinic serves a population of 15,000 drawn from Smythfield, Winkle, Tucber Park and Mount Sinai, which is fitted with eleven rum shops and eight churches, among schools, grocery shops and an ice cream parlour.

Since its opening in 2013, residents and others were treated for diabetes, hypertension, asthma, skin disease, anaemia, arthritis, gastro-enteritis and eye ailments, among other conditions.

It must be noted that nine geriatric shut-ins were visited during the clinic’s Open Day celebrations, while four were referred to the New Amsterdam Hospital for further medical intervention.

Additionally, nine expectant mothers, patients drawn from the ante-natal clinic, were referred to the high-risk clinic for improved monitoring.

Nurse Daniels said the other facilities offered — the post-natal clinic, family planning clinic, child health services, and the doctor’s clinic — were all utilised, with all mothers returning after delivery for total examination, given advice on family planning, and pap smear prior to having their off-spring enrolled.
Nurse Daniels further said that since the implementation of a management committee, several minor projects were undertaken, such as the tiling of the floor, and installation of a lavatory sink, water dispensary and sign board, also, fencing of a plot of land designated for the kitchen garden, along with painting of the waiting area.

Plans are on stream to host another blood drive, extend the home-based care programme, which is geared to reach out to those over age 65 years, and to host clinics for men and teenagers.

The Angoy’s Avenue Health Centre has on its management committee Indranauth Persaud [Chairman], Hilton Morris [Vice Chairman] Janet Sukoo [Secretary], Anmila Mc Ray [Treasurer]; and Phillip Rose, Joe Ramnarine, Deon Thomas, and Kathlyn Williams, as committee members. Nurse June Daniels represents the Berbice Regional Health Authority.

(By Jeune Bailey Vankeric)