The people of Anguilla (residents and visitors) are to benefit from a series of improvements in primary healthcare services, according to information released by the Health Authority of Anguilla.
The intended improvements were made known in a printed document as well as through a series of radio presentations and interviews this week.
Chief Executive Officer of the Health Authority, Mr. George Brown, spoke to The Anguillian about the improvements. “We have listened to our clients and out of our Strategic Plan we have identified certain improvements that need to be done at our clinics. We hope to see some of those improvements implemented from the first of November 2016.”
The proposed improvements include plans to
• Amend the hours of operation at the health centres to facilitate the public.
• Conduct a 120-day pilot study to determine the feasibility of operating the East End Health Clinic.
• Recommence pharmacy services at the Welches Polyclinic three times weekly – for four hours – starting November 2016 for the short term.
• Recommence pharmacy services at The Valley Health Centre by January 2017.
• Recruit two Pharmacists to deliver above pharmacy service.
• Employ two cashiers, one each to operate at East End and West End Health Centres.
In the long term, the proposed projects are as follows:
• Expansion of the South Hill Health Centre to accommodate pharmacy and other service.
• Construction of a Polyclinic at the “Western Health District.”
In conclusion, a release from the Health Authority states as follows:
“Primary healthcare is and should always be the first point of healthcare. To make this a reality, the service must be acceptable, available, affordable and accessible.
“It is the desire of the Health Authority to continuously improve Primary Healthcare Services in Anguilla.”
As indicated earlier, the proposed improvements at the health centres is part of the Primary Healthcare Strategic Plan and Proposed Activities covering the period 2016 – 2021. The document was first presented on September 14, 2016 by the Director of Nursing, Mrs. Colvette Coley.
As mentioned earlier also, during this week the improvements in primary healthcare were discussed on radio stations. Those who represented the Health Authority were: the CEO. Mr. George Brown; Nurse Colvette M. Coley; Dr. Olumuyia Ogunde, Director of Medical Services; Nurse Serene Carter-Davis, Member of the Health Authority Board; and Nurse Janice Hodge, Coordinator of Health Centres.
