Eccles’ first health centre expected to be completed this year

Residents of Eccles, East Bank Demerara will, by the end of the year, benefit from a health centre which is currently under construction to the tune of $27 million.
This is according to Regional Executive Officer (REO) Pauline Lucas, who also stated that after its completion, hundreds of residents will benefit. She noted that the residents are presently forced to use the Agricola or Herstelling health centres.
REO Lucas, accompanied by the Regional Health Department official Yogesh Narain, took an extensive tour of the facility, where she met with the contractors’ brothers, Mario and Marlon Andrews. she said the regular visits to projects being undertaken within her region is geared at ensuring that contractors are completing work in a timely manner and according to specifications.

“What we have seen over the years is that contractors do whatever they think that they should do, while in other cases they seek to ‘cut corners,’ thus robbing the public of the facilities that had been entrusted to them to build. Since assuming the position of REO, I have sought to take a more hands on approach, so my engineer would visit regularly while I would also go and inspect, so that they are cognisant that I am not prepared (to accept substandard or poorly executed works).
“If we are paying them tax payers’ monies, then all we seek is value for money,” she declared.
The REO said she is very excited at ongoing construction of the health centre. She noted that, for a number of years, residents of Eccles have been calling for such a facility.
“Many have complained that they were forced to seek attention at Agricola or Herstelling, thus making them uncomfortable. So with this new facility, which is the first for their community, I am confident that a number of health-related issues being faced by residents can be effectively addressed,” she declared.
It was disclosed that this heath centre would contain a number of features that would certainly bolster the delivery of healthcare to residents and patients. REO Lucas revealed that among the features would be three consultation rooms, a pharmacy, a records room, a dressing room, a treatment room, a VCT room, a rehabilitation room, and bathrooms which will cater for those differently-abled.
“I have reiterated to contractors that, when constructing public facilities, catering for the differently-able must remain a priority, as no longer can we imagine that those (who are) differently-able would not want to access the same facilities and services like those who are able. As such, the health centre will be constructed so as to cater for those who are differently-able, that they, too, can access the many services that will be provided there,” an evidently happy REO said.
Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr. Quincy Jones, in commenting on the construction of the new health centre, said it is very timely and the RDC and his department have collectively answered the cries and requests of residents.
“It has been a long time since residents have been asking for a health centre in this community, as they have expressed concerns of visiting both Agricola and Herstelling health centres. So I am very pleased that our REO has ensured that such a project has been undertaken. I now await its completion, so that all, especially the patients who would be accessing it, can be elated over the construction of this health facility,” Dr Jones stressed.
The RHO expressed sentiments similar to REO Lucas’s — satisfied with the construction and the fact that thus far everything is moving ahead nicely.
“This new health centre will certainly play a pivotal and critically important role in the effective delivery of healthcare to those accessing it,” Dr Jones said. REO Lucas added, “I can tell you that based on what we are seeing now, when this health centre is completed and opens its doors, the general public would certainly be impressed with everything.”