After years of analysis for the enhancement of lives for residents of Swan Village along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, a new health centre to the tune of $45 million was recently commissioned.
The health centre is equipped with medical supplies and equipment and is staffed with adequate human resources to provide primary healthcare services to the residents.
Speaking at the event Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony explained that this was an initiative that began some years ago after it was realised that the community was growing in population.
“We are very pleased that we can now officially open this health centre that we built. This was something that we wanted to do because we recognised that we had a relatively new community, and we had other people living here. If you have to access healthcare, it is going to be difficult for you to go to the neighbouring health centre.”
He also related that the residents deserve to benefit from the rapid transformation of the country.
The newly-commissioned $45M Swan Health Centre
“With where you are going and the population that you have, you deserve to have your own health facility here. You would have seen steady progress over the last couple of years, so since the PPP Government has come back to office, one of the things that we have been doing is working to see how we can improve the lives of our community.”
“This community is now like a strip of progress. From the time you drive in here and look at this side, you can see all of the government buildings, which span across the community centre, a new school, and a new addition, which is this health facility. That shows that there is proper planning and that we are working to improve the lives of people living in the community. In almost all villages across the country, we have been working to improve health facilities because we recognised that this is really important.”
Residents at the commissioning ceremony
The establishment of a health centre within the Swan community is of great importance, as it falls under the primary healthcare system. One of its main objectives is prevention—not only treating illnesses but preventing them. The centre will provide services aimed at preventing illness, with a key focus on maternal and child healthcare.
Expectant mothers will have access to comprehensive care throughout their pregnancies, ensuring they reach the end of their term in good health. After the baby is born, the centre’s primary goal will be to ensure the child receives all age-appropriate vaccinations.
In line with the primary healthcare goal of prevention, the centre will offer vaccination services, maternal and child health programmes, and contraceptive services, including family planning.
These essential healthcare services will be accessible directly within the community. Residents will also receive a schedule outlining the clinic’s operation and the range of services provided.
Through these preventive measures, the health centre aims to support the overall well-being of the community by ensuring healthcare is both accessible and proactive in maintaining health.
