SENIOR Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, accompanied by Inter Ministerial Advisor, Mr. Seewchan, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Trevor Thomas, and Regional Health Officer, Dr. Allison Brown, visited communities in the Upper Pomeroon River and inspected several health centres there on Saturday.The Ministerial party first stopped at the Kabakaburi Health Centre, near the mouth of the Aripiaco River, a tributary of the Pomeroon River. There he was told by Midwife Ms. Yolindra Roberts that the centre is without the services of a resident Medex, and there is no solar electricity in the building.

Ms. Roberts explained that a ten-panel solar system had been installed by the previous PPP/C Government, but the batteries got damaged some two years ago and were never replaced, despite several reports having been made to the Region 2 Administration.

Ms. Roberts said no effort was made by the Administration to get the solar system back into operation.

The Minister also observed that a tap in the birthing room of the health centre did not supply running water. The Minister turned on the tap and inquired from community health worker Ms. Carla Smith how long the tap was out of operation. She told him for several months.

Minister Norton said he was very disappointed and upset that an important thing like a tap in a birthing room does not have running water despite the Regional Administration having a plumber employed on a full-time basis.

The Minister therefore instructed Dr. Brown to put more interest in the operation of the health centre.

Chairman of the Health Committee for the Kabakaburi Health Centre, Mr. Nicolos Baharally, told the Minister that the committee, in its drive to support health care at the centre, raises its own funds.

He told the Minister that eight mosquito nets were recently purchased and donated to the centre, and the committee recently repainted several bed frames and the solar power house. He also said a new wick and five gallons of kerosene oil had been purchased for the fridge in which vaccines are stored.

Mr. Baharally said the objective of the committee is to make the centre worker-friendly; hence the building was given a facelift some two years ago when members of the committee repainted the building.

He said the bridge leading to the Medex quarters was also repaired by the committee.

SORE ISSUE
The Chairman told the Minister that the sore issue for the health centre is the flooding of the compound whenever there is high tide in the Pomeroon River. He said water overflows the banks freely and flood the entire compound, because of erosion that is taking place along the banks of the Aripiaco River.

Mr. Baharally suggested that the health centre be relocated to higher ground. Minister Norton agreed with the suggestion, and promised that the building would be relocated in the future. He also invited Chairman Baharally to discuss the issue with members of the health committee.

MEDEX
The Chairman told the Minister that the health centre had a Medex, but she proceeded on leave and never returned.

However, Dr. Brown interjected and said the Medex left because of security issues and because of poor infrastructure.

Minister Norton expressed dissatisfaction with what he had witnessed at the Kabakaburi Health Centre, and the Chairman of the Health Committee concurred with that sentiment. The Minister said the situation in the Pomeroon would be looked at, the idea was floated to him and he is actively considering it.

Minister Norton said he is looking to place a doctor at the Kabakaburi Health Centre. He thanked the Health Committee for doing a good job, and commended them for their work. This centre was built some 43 years ago.

By Rajendra Prabhulall