The Valley Polyclinic, which is scheduled to be officially opened in January, has already been named. That name is “The Central Polyclinic,” merely denoting that it is located in the town centre of Anguilla. Besides that, it means nothing more than what it is: a central point on the island.
While it may be a reasonable name, as far as location is concerned, some members of the public have other ideas. They are of the view that the name of an Anguillian national who, in some way, might have been connected with public healthcare, or some of its varied forms of delivery and administration, over the years, should have been given that recognition and name fixture.
Here are some of the suggestions that came to the attention of The Anguillian newspaper:
• The Vida Lloyd Polyclinic
• The Bertrand Gumbs Polyclinic.
Both of them served as Districts Nurses, as well as in the area of Child Health Care and Post Natal Services, for many years.
• The Stanley Mussington Polyclinic.
For many years Mr. Mussington served as Chief Public Health Inspector and Health Administrator in Anguilla. He earlier left his job in St. Kitts, during the Anguilla Revolution, at the request of Revolutionary Leader, Mr. Ronald Webster, who offered him a public health job in his homeland. Mr. Mussington did not resist that opportunity and is thankful today that he had taken that patriotic decision. He was on holiday in Anguilla at the time and reported to work at the Public Health Department on the island rather than returning to his former public health post in St. Kitts. He later became Health Services Administrator at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, followed by Principal Assistant Secretary, Health. He achieved a Master’s Degree in Health Services Management from the University of Keele in England just before his retirement. He also holds a Diploma in Community Health from the University of the West Indies. He retired from the Anguilla Civil Service in May 1998. He was a recipient of the Anguilla Badge of Honour and Queen Certificate in 2009.
Mr. Mussington is a beloved, respected and well-qualified Anguillian national.
• The Evans McNeil Rogers Polyclinic. He was a long-time Healthcare professional at the Cottage Hospital and at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. He served in the capacity of Medical Technologist and then furthered his studies in the United States. Today, he is the father of one of the best facial surgeons and dentists in the world. Mr. Rogers later went on to be an Elected Representative for Valley North for some three terms. During that time he was appointed Minister of Health and also served as Leader of the Opposition. He was in office in 2020, as Minister of Health, during the Executive Council’s discussions on the improvement of the health facilities in Anguilla which were financed in part from the UK humanitarian grant of 60 million pounds following Hurricane Irma in 2017. He was known to have been a strong contender and fighter for the building of an ultra-modern Valley Polyclinic – as well as for funds for state-of-the-art equipment at the Princess Alexandra Hospital to help save the lives of a number of patients. There, he was also intimately involved in the overall expansion of that health institution to what it is today. He is owed a great deal of gratitude.
• The Margaret Fleming Polyclinic. She was a popular and respected Nurse and Midwife from East End.
There are a number of other persons whose names could have also been considered. It is just to do the research.
• The Raoul Vanterpool Polyclinic. It would be a deserving tribute to a young accomplished Anguillian architectural professional for his expertise; creative ability; and design of what a modern state-of-the-art medical facility should look like.
• It is not too late to change the name “Central Polyclinic” to one of the above or other worthy names.
Attaching the names of those above, or other Anguillians, to the “Central Polyclinic”, for their outstanding contributions to health services, would not only be an acknowledgement or recognition of their professional work, but a matter of national honour, patriotism and pride.
Doing so, would also be in conformity with the naming of the majority of our schools and other educational facilities in Anguilla; and at least two health institutions: the Miriam Gumbs Senior Citizens’ Home and the Welches Polyclinic – the latter of which is associated with the late traditional healthcare worker and midwife, Tota Smith of Island Harbour.
There is one other named Polyclinic – the “Western Polyclinic” at South Hill. Wasn’t there any Anguillian whose name could have been attached to that facility?
The Princess Alexandra Hospital was given that name in 1988 when a member of the Royal Family, Lady Ogilvy, visited the island during that year and officially declared open the hospital. At 85, she is the daughter of Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. She was born in Belgravia, London, in the House of Windsor, on December 25, 1936.
In short, we must honour, respect and reward our people for what they have done for Anguilla. That is simply being patriotic and grateful.
