La Penitence health centre celebrates one year with mini fair
-to become annual feature, Minister Ramsaran

The Ministry of Health held a one day mini health fair at the La Penitence health centre today, to celebrate its first year in operation.
            The fair featured booths displaying the products and services of various arms of the Ministry of Health, including the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Center and the Health Services Unit, Ministry of Health.
            The facility offers a range of services to the residents of La Penitence and surrounding communities including treatment of chronic diseases, foot care (wrapping and dressing), and a dental and eye care clinics.

A patient is being attended to by the eye specialist at the East La Penitence health centre

            Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, Minister in the Ministry of Health, said that the area was chosen because of the need to bring these types of services to those Guyanese who live in low income bracket areas.
            The Minister noted that in proceeding with the health centre’s construction, there was a high level of community involvement and participation, and already Government has delivered on most of the promises made to the residents.

A primary school student is receiving dental treatment in the facility’s new dental unit

            The clinic boasts a pharmacy, a screening room for women wishing to be screened for cervical cancer using the visual Inspection with Acetic acid (VIA) method, a refraction room for eye testing, and ward-like facilities for foot care. There is also a newly donated dental unit, which will see constant usage as of the new month. An external waiting area has been added, and according to Minister Ramsaran can be used for community development purposes.

Primary school students gather at the health centre’s mini health fair in commemoration of its one year anniversary

            There is a permanent doctor on staff and the clinic days for the various services are rotated for optimum efficiency.
            It was just over a year ago that the United States Army Southern command, New Horizons, handed over the then newly constructed building to the Ministry of Health.