$10M health centre commissioned in Leonora

—better waiting area for patients

—nurses and staff are more comfortable

DPI, Guyana, Friday, June 21, 2019

The Regional Administration of Essequibo Islands-West Demerara commissioned a new Health Centre building which was constructed earlier in the year at a cost of $10Million much to the satisfaction of the staff and patients.

The simple but significant ceremony was held on June 19 under the theme, “Health is our Wealth.”

Delivering the main address to patients and staff in attendance was Regional Executive Officer Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall who noted that the project was birthed through consultation and communication which are effective tools that promote good governance.

The spacious newly constructed Health Centre at Leonora

[Seated from left to right] Administrator pf Leonora Hospital, Medical Superintendent Dr. tracy Duncan, Regional Executive Officer Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall and Senior Health Visitor Bhagmatie Nauth.

Regional Executive Officer Jennifer Ferreira Dougall cutting the ribbon to commission the new health centre

“We listened to you, the direct beneficiaries of this service-providing entity and we answered your calls. It was you, our people of Region Three that asked for this facility and it will be you who would have to care it. When we communicate and consult, we are assured of results and it is the bedrock of good governance. Your government is a listening government and a caring government,” REO Ferreira-Dougall noted.

The building is equipped with four rooms inclusive of a private room for examination and is more spacious than the former building.

Bhandmattie Harrygobin, who is a regular patient to the facility expressed her appreciation for the new building noting that the area in which it is located is more environmentally friendly.

“Now we are going to get more breeze and we won’t have to be fanning all the time. The place has a lot of space so we don’t have to be clustered up all the time anymore. This is a very good move and I must thank the government for making it easier for us the patients,” said Harrygobin.

Nurse Payne who has worked for years at the Health Centre also expressed her appreciation on behalf of the staff noting that the environment in which they will now function is more comfortable.

The facility is expected to provide basic medical health services to the residents of Leonora, Edinburg, Stewartville and Uitvlugt while the Leonora Comprehensive Diagnostic and Treatment Centre is expected to handle the more serious cases.

Images and story: Ganesh Mahipaul