-as PAHO Director tours Campbellville Health Centre

DIRECTOR of the Pan American Health Organisation, Dr Carissa Etienne, Thursday, was taken on a guided tour of the Campbellville Health Centre where she urged the staff there to always remember how valuable their services are.

Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Michael Khan and other medical personnel were present. The health centre is the responsibility of the GPHC.
Coming from Dominica, where a massive hurricane caused that country to look more into a primary health care system, Dr. Etienne said she knows and values any good primary health care system.

“I believe that this is the most important level of health care, this is where people live, work, and it is here the health sector must interact with people to ensure that we deliver comprehensive services, including prevention and promotion, rehabilitation and palliative care, very much what you are doing here.”
Dr. Etienne underscored the importance of the services the staff offers at the health centre, while noting that these play a very critical role in a population’s health.
“Sometimes you are made to feel that what you are doing is second class and sometimes your hospital, doctors and nurses would try to make you feel what you are doing is less than what they are doing. The truth is no, the majority of people live in the community you deal with, and you help them to remain healthy, make sure that the children are immunised, you help with the promotion and education, so the work that you do is of high importance.”
Reiterating the importance of a working primary care programme, the Director said she is aware of the effects that primary care service have on the health status of individuals, as she has had first-hand experience in the field.
“I saw countries that were much bigger than Dominica trying to implement primary health care service; they may have sophisticated equipment and big hospitals, but that does not bring health to people; the work that you do, that is what ensures health and ensures people remain healthy.”

The PAHO Director also took the opportunity to congratulate the doctors and nurses who give their services to the Campbellville community and its environs.
“I want to congratulate you on the coverage you have been able to achieve. I know a lot of people benefit from what you do, and as we move forward, primary health care makes a significant contribution to the health care sector.”
She also encouraged the staff to look into the possibility of interacting more with members of the community to get a better understanding of what their health care needs are. She also called on them to place more emphasis on preventative care.
“Preventative care and preventative service is good; this is of immense value to your population. I urge you to work assiduously.”
While acknowledging the importance of referral services and hospitals, Dr. Etienne reminded the staff that, “increasing access to health care is what you are doing here, it’s of immense value, it’s a passion that has to drive you. I hope you have passion that will sustain you to continue to give service to your people.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Ramsaran also took the opportunity to congratulate the staff at the health centre, noting that he was impressed with the level of services they have been providing over the years.

(GINA)