Free transport for Festival City residents accessing health services
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, November 2, 2019
Minister of Public Health, Hon. Volda Lawrence has committed the ministry’s full support to establish a seating area with a shed to accommodate senior citizens and others residing in Festival City who access service at the Festival City Health Centre.
The minister made this pledge today, during a health fair hosted in the community.
Currently, the clinic is undergoing rehabilitation, and in the interim, residents who require health care treatment are referred to the East La Penitence Health Centre. Minister Lawrence disclosed that:
“Permanent Secretary Collette Adams will work in tandem with your respective council to ensure that the transportation will be provided to the clinic and back to the community for those residents require it.”
Councillor of Constituency 12 Dexter Forte expressed his appreciation to the minister for the generous move, noting it will create a hassle-free environment for those seeking healthcare services.
Forte added that currently, health services offered at the Festival City Health Centre are being phased out to accommodate the infrastructural works. “The health centre has been here for many years, and it is at a stage where the ministry and M&CC have collaborated to convert it into a medium-scale hospital… we will soon be able to offer services that can be accessed at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) which will cut costs for many,” he said.
It was disclosed that a ramp will be built at the entrance of the new clinic to cater to persons with disabilities. The two-storey building will also house additional services, essentially making it a community hospital. Laboratory, X-Ray and Ultrasound services will be provided as well as the establishment of an adolescent clinic.
Councilor Forte also mentioned that the new clinic, when completed, will be open throughout the week and will have the use of 24/7 ambulance service, among others.
The health fair, which was a collaboration between the Public Health Ministry and the Mayor and City Council, saw residents accessing services such as HIV testing, blood sugar testing, Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) testing, nutrition counselling, mental health counselling, dental and eye service and others. There was also a giveaway activity which allowed participants to walk away with either a wheelchair or food items and among others.