FOCUSING on the nation’s well-being, the Health Ministry has injected in excess of $362.9M to Region 5 for the provision of health care to its people. This money was used for the provision of health care rehabilitation work at several medical facilities in the region. Speaking at a recent press conference, Region 5 Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth noted that the Regional Health Officer (RHO) and his team should be applauded for their hard work during the course of 2014.
Commenting on the Chikungunya virus outbreak, the chairman complimented the efforts of the Ministry of Health and the Regional Health Service (RHS), which led to a containing of the virus. He noted that over 4000 patients with Chikungunya-like symptoms visited the health facilities in the region.  Of these, over 120 blood samples were taken from those who “fit the case” definition and only 11 cases were confirmed.
In addition, intense was conducted across the region and will continue this year. He added that a new ambulance was bought and is being housed at the Mahaicony Diagnostic Centre.
Further, a generator was purchased to the tune of $13.7M for the Fort Wellington Hospital. The hospital was also boosted with a complete rewiring, costing some $6.2M. This was to curb the electrical issues, which has been a major concern at the facility for quite some time.
Also, a new $14.3M two-storeyed administrative building was constructed at the hospital, to house the RHO and his team.
Renovation was done on the two incinerators at the hospital, and the pharmacy bond of the facility was also extended, so as to enable better housing of drugs.  The chairman pointed out that Government has been placing a lot of emphasis on the proper storage of medication.
Rehabilitation works were conducted on all the health centres across the region and major repairs and refurbishing works were also executed on the Mahaicony Diagnostic Centre, especially the housing quarters for the Cuban doctors.