Staff and patients at the George’s Plain Health Centre in Westmoreland, are welcoming the adoption of the centre, which was done under the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Adopt-A-Clinic initiative.
The George’s Plain Health Centre has been adopted by the Tyre Warehouse and will benefit from a three-year partnership with the company, which has committed $2.5 million to the project. The funds will be used to undertake infrastructure upgrades and other improvements at the centre.
Nursing Supervisor for the Grange Hill Health District, which includes the George’s Plain Health Centre, Keisha Forrest, told JIS News that the adoption of the centre, should augur well for service delivery at the facility.
“I think what they [Tyre Warehouse] will put in, will enhance the facility [and] will build our services. A part of what they have decided to do is renovate our veranda area that we use for our child wellness clinics,” Ms Forrest said.
“I think that will greatly affect how the staff and how the patients feel about coming to a facility that is ready and (equipped) with everything needed for them to get the necessary care that they need,” she added.
The official ceremony for the adoption of the George’s Plain Health Centre in Westmoreland, was held recently.
For his part, patient at the Health Centre, Windell Dawson, welcomed the adoption, noting that “it’s a great thing for the community to know that one of our [local] businesses has decided to come and help us.”
GREAT THINGS
“We know the government cannot do everything, (so) whoever can come in and help, it is for the benefit of all the people in the community. I know [the partnership will bring] great things, because Tyre Warehouse is a company that thinks of success, they do not make empty promises and I am pretty sure that they are going to go all out to make good on that adoption,” he told JIS News.
Meanwhile, Portfolio Minster, Dr. Christopher Tufton, in his address at the ceremony, commended Tyre Warehouse for adopting the facility.
“We appreciate businesses like the Tyre Warehouse for coming forward and really saying I want to give back. I want to recognize [them] because based on your report, you are not only involved in primary health care, but you are involved in education, as well as other areas,” Dr. Tufton stated.
“This is the substance of the adoption process, we do need in our society to cultivate, to encourage, to motivate a stronger sense of being our brothers’ keepers, a stronger sense of volunteerism, and a stronger sense of collective responsibility for our environment and for each other.
There is no society that will prosper if it is always (about) every man for himself,” he added.
Business Development Manager at the Tyre Warehouse, Rohan White in his remarks, assured that the company’s partnership with the Ministry will greatly “improve the delivery of primary health care to the people of the George’s Plain community.”
Some 3,300 patients are treated at the George’s Plain Health Centre annually. The facility offers a range of services including child care clinics, family planning, Pap smear clinic, mental health clinic, nutrition clinic, as well as curative services and home delivery services.
Under the Adopt-A-Clinic programme, the Ministry has earmarked 100 health centres across the island for support from local and international persons, groups and corporate entities, with the aim of strengthening primary healthcare facilities.
The George’s Plain Health Centre is the third such facility to be adopted in Westmoreland, as the Petersfield and Lamb’s River Health Centres were also adopted.
An estimated nine health centres across the island have been formally adopted, with approximately 20 more to be announced later this
Business Development Manager at the Tyre Warehouse, Rohan White, addresses stakeholders during the official ceremony for the adoption of the George’s Plain Health Centre in Westmoreland, recently. The health centre has been adopted by his company.
