Remote Reg. 1 communities get new health centres

Residents of two remote communities in Region One (Barima- Waini) have improved access to healthcare services as two new centres were commissioned on Tuesday.

The new health centres were commissioned in the communities of Wanakai and Tobago. Both facilities were prefabricated and will serve the 169 residents in Wanakai and the 246 residents in Tobago.

Additionally, a resident from each village was trained and now serves as the Community Health Worker attached to the centres. These workers have been trained to provide a wide range of services, including outpatient and general consultations, antenatal and postnatal care, child wellness clinics, immunisation, chronic disease management, school health services, laboratory services, pharmacy access, and malaria testing.

Wanakai’s Community Health Worker, Darian February, told reporters that such a facility was badly needed in the community, as residents often travelled by boat to another community to get health services. Seriously ill patients were taken further away to Mabaruma for treatment at the regional hospital. Now, she said, residents have access to several services right in their community and would only travel when necessary.

“We don’t do it back-to-front… today, visionary government would have already trained your health worker and given you a brand-new building,” Dr. Steven Cheefoon, the Regional Health Officer, told residents of Wanakai.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony told residents in both communities that the government is keen on expanding access to primary healthcare services. As such, investments in such facilities are supported.

“Every community must have access to health care, education, and other social amenities so that those communities can grow,” Dr. Anthony said.