Kilcoy/ Chesney gets new $39M health centre

Residents of Kilcoy/Chesney and surrounding areas in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) will now have access to a range of health services at a new $39.3 million health centre.

The facility was officially opened on Saturday by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.

Constructed by Mario Niamatali Construction, the centre features a vaccination room, pharmacy, washroom facilities, and consultation rooms for doctors and nurses. These services will now be conveniently available to locals, who previously had to travel to other health centres or hospitals in the region to access similar care.

At the opening ceremony, Minister Anthony emphasised the importance of pregnant women enrolling in the health centre’s maternity program.

“Often, we set up these centres and train staff, yet we don’t see pregnant mothers during the first three months of pregnancy. Sometimes they don’t even come during the second trimester, and in the last three months, we find issues that could have been addressed earlier,” he lamented.

Given the situation, Dr. Anthony urged pregnant women to capitalise on all of the services that will be offered.

Dr. Anthony also highlighted the need for HPV testing and vaccinations, noting that breast and cervical cancers are the two leading cancers in Guyana. He explained that cervical cancer is preventable, as it is caused by a virus that can be stopped with a vaccine.

“We have the vaccine, and we want every child between the ages of 9 and 15 to receive it. If you want protection, take the vaccine, it’s available right here at the health centre,” he said.

The Health Minister also spoke about ongoing efforts to provide HPV testing through a partnership between the government and the private sector. While the test would typically cost around $8,000 if done privately, the government now offers vouchers for women aged 21 to 65 to get tested for free.

So Dr. Anthony encouraged all women to prioritise their health and make use of this service.