Eccles gets $30M health centre

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, February 12, 2020

A new $30 Million primary health care facility in Eccles, East Bank Demerara was this morning commissioned by Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence.

Covering a catchment area of 6000 residents, the health centre has already begun offering a range of services.

With a General Medical Officer (GMO), registered and assistant nurses, midwife and family medicine specialist, residents of Eccles/Ramsburg will be receiving the best medical care.

Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence.

Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence looks on as Dr. Kittindie Pearson-Boyle and two little ones cut the ribbon to commission the hralth centre at Eccles.

Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence engages Dr Krystle Fraser during a tour of the facility.

Facilities at the health centre.

The services offered by the trained professionals include chronic diseases, foot care, child and adolescent health, prenatal, STD testing as well as diagnostic treatment for Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT).

Minister Lawrence said the government’s vision for a prosperous Guyana also includes providing the best of health services to its people.

Collaborating with the Ministry of Communities, Minister Lawrence said her ministry wants to ensure that all communities have access to all facilities.

“We believe that this is our way of ensuring that everyone, everywhere benefits effectively from the health services delivery, that we fulfil our mandate and ensure that no one is left behind,”.

Dr Krystle Fraser is one of the doctors manning the facility since it opened its doors in September of last year. She encouraged residents to make the best of the available services. “This facility is part of this community to serve you. And we want that whenever you come, whoever you see, we want you to feel welcome” Dr Fraser said

Regional Chair of Demerara Mahaica Genevieve Allen explained that the establishment of the Eccles Health Centre was conceptualised in 2017 and formed part of the regional work programme in 2018. The facility was completed in 2019

She said the commissioning of the facility is testament to the region’s and the government’s commitment to ensuring universal health coverage, where people everywhere have access to quality health care.

Prior to the establishment of the health centre, residents were accommodated the at Diamond and other neighbouring health centres.