New $18M North East La Penitence Health Centre commissioned

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, and several other stakeholders officially commissioned the new North East La Penitence Health Centre on Monday. Among the new services offered by the facility are maternal, child, elderly, and men’s care.

The centre caters to approximately 7,651 individuals from more than 3,000 households. It will also work closely with the night shelter.

Healthcare officials from the centre will conduct visits to homes in nearby communities to check on the health status of residents.

“We want to make healthcare accessible, we want to give compassionate healthcare because we have compassionate nurses, and we want to provide the highest quality of healthcare that Guyana can provide,” said District Medical Officer, Dr Judy Bentley-Browne.

Delivering the feature address, Minister Anthony spoke extensively on the work of the Health Ministry in improving access to healthcare and upgrading the quality of healthcare provided.

He also spoke of the importance of regular health check-ups and getting tested to detect potential issues early and monitor existing conditions.

“If you have any doubt about your condition, please come and get yourself checked.

“Don’t wait until you’re getting sick. You can also do preventative medicine by coming and getting a check-up so that we can pick up things before it becomes a complication,” he implored.

He further highlighted that the Ministry will be making improvements to several health facilities in Georgetown.

Dr. Anthony also mentioned the Ministry will continue to oversee the work of the new health centre to ensure a high quality of healthcare is provided.

Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo noted that the Ministry has been staffing the centre. It will have two government medical officers, two midwives, a nursing assistant, a patient care assistant, a pharmacy assistant, and a clinic attendant.

Dr Mahadeo also spoke on the necessity of raising standards so persons from across the country has access to healthcare.

“We are not going to provide a healthcare that is second to anyone. We must provide a healthcare that people from other countries would want to come to us,” he said.

In addition, the Director General noted that there is no backlog of cataracts in Guyana. He said the Ministry brought patients from the Hinterland Regions to Georgetown, conducted their surgeries, and took them back to their Regions.

Further, City Councillor Alphonso De Armas, praised the Ministry of Health for its support towards health centres in Georgetown.

“Without the support of Central Government and the Ministry of Health, none of these health centres would be able to offer the expert, professional, courteous, (and life-saving) service that they offer,” he said.

Editor’s note: The Ministry of Health initially communicated that the health center costs $80 million. In an email sent subsequently, the ministry said it wishes to clarify that the facility was recommissioned at a cost of $18 million.