Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, Ms. Maeza Demis-Adams and PS Foster Rogers
In an official handing over ceremony on Monday, 21st March, visiting Honourable Minister of the Overseas Territories, at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Ms. Amanda Milling, turned over the key of the Western Polyclinic – in South Hill – to the Chairman of the Board of the Health Authority of Anguilla, Dr. Clyde Bryan.
Though the clinic was functional, providing services to the public for several months following its completion, it was not officially commissioned.
The ceremonial event opened with the playing of the Anguilia National Song, rendered by young Vijay Southwell on the steel-pans. A prayer of thanksgiving was offered by Director of Facilities for the Health Authority, Mr. Malcolm Webster, in which he gave God thanks for the important role that the UK Government had played, and for the work of the contractors and all stakeholders in the development of the facility.
Mr. Webster also asked God to specially bless the clinic: “As we continue your ministry of health on earth, we pray that those obtaining the services of this facility may be touched and healed, and that they would recognise that they are in a place that is blessed…”
The Moderator of the opening ceremony was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr. Foster Rogers. He formally greeted members of Government who would officiate at the ceremony, other dignitaries present and cordially welcomed all in attendance. He then explained: “We have been operating here at this site for the past few months, because the need to reestablish proper medical services in the district was great.
“Services were disrupted after the passage of Hurricane Irma in 2017. This means that for little more than four years, less than ideal community health services were being delivered in the district. But, today, we are here to press this structure into service.”
Mr. Rogers placed on record his admiration for, and gratitude to, Mr. Conrad Walton Fleming who willingly agreed to swop his land where the clinic now stands for another piece of property offered to him by the Government of Anguilla. “The willingness of Mr. Fleming to give up prime property on the main road is noteworthy, and he deserves an applause,” he noted.
He then paid special recognition to the visiting UK dignitaries: “I would particularly like to welcome the Minister of Overseas Territories at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Ms. Amanda Milling, and her Private Secretary, Ms. Amy Butcher, as well as Mr. Adam Pile,” he said. “We welcome you all to our shores.”
In highlighting the principles of ideal healthcare, Mr. Rogers stated that one of the most outstanding pillars of a healthcare system is ‘Access’, and he noted that within the ambit of access there are five A’s that are key to a proper functional system. These five, he distinguished as Availability, Adequacy, Accessibility, Affordability and Appropriateness. “All of these” he said, “fit into the provision of comprehensive, quality healthcare services.”
Dr. Clyde Bryan, Chairman of the Board of the Health Authority, spoke next. He stated: “Your Health Authority aims to maintain primary healthcare as an integral part of the national health system, with a focus on excellence in delivery.” He insisted that “the Health Authority of Anguilla seeks to ensure that primary healthcare services are user-friendly, and accessible to all, especially for the poor and vulnerable in the communities.”
He then remarked, “Now every person in Anguilla is able to access healthcare at the nearest public polyclinic in their district, whether it is the Welches Polyclinic, the Central Polyclinic in The Valley, or here at the Western Polyclinic.”
“We wish to thank the Almighty God,” he said. “We also say thanks to Her Majesty’s UK Government, and her representatives who have joined us here today. In addition, we thank the current and previous governing administrations. We also thank the builders, engineers and architects, both foreign and domestic. Congratulations all, for a job well done.”
Her Excellency the Governor spoke next: “In true reflection of this partnership that has defined the Anguilla Programme,” she observed, “it is my pleasure to have Minister Milling here to join us from the UK to mark this occasion.
“As I have said before, the one key point that the pandemic taught us is the importance of looking after our health. This building marks the coming of age for the provision of primary healthcare in Anguilla. The opening of this new clinic will radically improve health services and the quality of patient care. It will be of great benefit in alleviating the pressures on the Princess Alexandra Hospital by bringing primary healthcare into the community.
“It would be remiss of me if I did not give thanks to Maeza and Foster. Ever since I started in the Governor’s Office, I have noticed that they had taken on this project as a personal effort, and I think this is a testament to the depth of their personal conviction and values in wanting to see the best in healthcare for the people of Anguilla.”
Her Excellency further thanked the Anguilla Programme lead in the Governor’s Office as well as the construction lead. “They have truly worked as one in being the engine that moved this project forward. This building is a testament to their care and commitment.”
Next, the Premier and Minister of Health, Dr. Lorenzo Webster addressed the gathering: “It is my pleasure to be here today, not only as a physician but as an Anguillian to see that healthcare is being given such priority in the Anguilla Programme. I wish to say thanks to the United Kingdom Government and to the generous taxpayers of the UK.
“I want to also say thanks to the past and current Governors and the Governor’s Office. Our current Governor always wanted to know that this project was moving on time, on track, within the budget, and fit for purpose.” He thanked all those who played a part in realising the finished product of such a great facility. He said that, in his view, Anguilla has some of the best healthcare providers in the world, and all it needs is the right type of facilities to afford an optimum standard of health care. “This edifice before us is a start,” he said.
Ms. Amanda Millings, the Minister of the Overseas Territories, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be in Anguilla. I have promised to be a champion for causes in the Overseas Territories, so it is a real pleasure to be here at this dedication ceremony for the Western Polyclinic.
“It gives me great pride to know how effective the collaboration of the UK Government and the Government of Anguilla has resulted in a state-of-the-art clinic. I am really impressed when I hear about the range of services which will be offered here.”
“Primary healthcare provision is a critical need for any community,” the Minister stressed.
Finally, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Authority of Anguilla, Mrs. Maeza Demis-Adams, addressed the gathering: “When I was growing up in the eighties,” she reflected, “there were four institutions that were the pillars of my community: the Morris Vanterpool Primary School; the church; the local shop; and the health clinic.
“These were places that you visited regularly. They formed the fabric of my life. From birth to the end of life, health centres address the health needs through the life cycle, and are institutions that nurture human development.
“It is with a sense of accomplishment, humility and gratitude, that I stand before you at this official opening ceremony, dedicating the very last of the Primary Healthcare Centres – the Western Polyclinic.
“To the people of this district, let me say that there is a keen awareness that this marks the beginning of a new age for Primary Healthcare in Anguilla. Now we are able to offer healthcare services in buildings that are fit for purpose.”
Mrs. Adams extended sincere gratitude to the United Kingdom Government and the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office for the investment in Anguilla’s primary healthcare needs.
To close the ceremony, a Vote of Thanks was delivered by Nurse Magdalina Jean-Louis, after which a large symbolic key was handed over by Minister Amanda Millings, accompanied by Her Excellency the Governor, to Dr. Clyde Bryan, Chairman of the Board of the Health Authority of Anguilla.
