Providing excellent people-friendly service to the community

By Michel Outridge

FOR Chandanie Koarlall, better known as “Varsha”, becoming a nurse was a ‘big’ thing for her because growing up, she always had her eyes set on nursing and loved to do dressings on any wound.

Today, nothing has changed about this qualified nurse, who is highly regarded in her community and is the ‘go-to person’ when residents are ill.

The 26-year-old takes her job seriously and from her disposition, it is safe to say that she is a professional who is out to make a difference in the lives of people.

As the nurse-in-charge, she reported that the Cotton Tree Health Centre is located in Number Two Village after it was rebuilt at that location in 2018.

Nurse Koarlall stated that their catchment is from D’ Edward Village to Number Seven Village, but they serve whomsoever comes for treatment.

Being a former emergency room healthcare provider, she is alert and is always ready to assist those in need of medical attention and still has time for a quick chat.

She was once stationed at the New Amsterdam Hospital before she was transferred to the Cotton Tree Health Centre and as a village nurse, she feels quite proud that her childhood dream of becoming a nurse was realised.

Koarlall described her journey as “not easy” but was able to become successful and vowed to help people in need of medical attention and has set out to do just that.

She joined the noble profession in 2012 and is a local of Zee Zight Village, West Coast Berbice.

“I really like my job and the best part is when I get to interact with patients and we share information; it feels so nice to be of service to our people and there is no greater calling,” she said.

To this day, no matter how bad is the wound she likes to do all dressings on patients and she would take her time to ensure everything is in order.

The Cotton Tree Health Centre offers a wide range of services including ante-natal, child health, family planning, midwifery, chronic diseases clinic, out-patient care among others.

Nurse Koarlall disclosed that they have efficient and professional staff of one midwife, four nurses, two community health workers, one cleaner, two pharmacists and two visiting doctors.

The facility is furnished with the needed medical equipment and medicines and the place is very clean and tidy.

As healthcare professionals, Nurse Koarlall said that they are trying their best to serve people and at the same time, take care of their own health by wearing their protective gear and constantly sanitising.

She added that they have all the required COVID-19 measures in place and they test patients’ temperatures upon entry to the facility and all hands must be washed before entering.

The mother of a young baby girl pointed out that as healthcare professionals they remain vigilant and will continue to work effortlessly to provide healthcare to the people.

The NDC input

The Pepperpot Magazine also met Councillor Iqual Alli called “Flappy”, a resident of Zee Zight, West Coast Berbice.

He reported that the village comes under the Rosignol Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) which covers the catchment of Number Five Village to Rosignol.

Alli stated that they have had a clean-up exercise in the community where drains and canals were de-silted and street repairs were done.

The councillor disclosed that they have acquired some money to the tune of $1 million through the NDC for the installation of street lights along the street of Ketting area and once the budget is approved they will start that project.

Alli added that they are also working on a community development plan in which the cross streets in Zee Zight/Ketting will be upgraded since the main street was already re-paved.

He revealed that the villagers are simple people who depend heavily on farming for their livelihood.

But following the murders of the Henry brothers and Haresh Singh, in the backlands of Cotton Tree Village, they are skeptical of going there for their produce.

The retired Blairmont Sugar Estate foreman, who started as a labourer and worked in the sugar industry for 37 years, told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is also a farmer.

“I have 200 coconut plants in the backlands of Ketting Village and I also have a crop of only corilla of which do not need a lot of attention, making it easy to grow and sell for a profit,” he said.

Community concerns

However, on a different note, Alli pointed out that they have illegal dumping of garbage in the village where at nights people would visit and throw refuse on a dam and it is an unsightly problem they have had to deal with.

Alli stated that they have cleaned up the area and erected a sign there and a penalty is attached to deter such a practice.

The councillor also reported that there is need for a resource centre which youths can attend to learn a skill to become gainfully employed.
He added that with schools closed, some youths find the time to engage in unsavoury behaviour and it would be in their best interest to have access to the internet where they can do classroom via online learning.

“Despite these challenges and issues we are a people, who are trying to live an honest life and we are a village of farmers, who work hard to put food on our tables,” he said.