$49.5m health centre for Diego Martin

THE community of Diego Martin has received a state-of-the-art $49.5m health centre.

The centre at Wendy Fitzwilliam Boulevard in Diamond Vale was opened on Tuesday, after which the Prime Minister  toured it. He said it is “probably one of the best” in the country and despite the difficult period, healthcare has always been a priority.

“We have one of the best healthcare systems in the world in a small developing country.”

He predicted that the centre will be one of the most utilised outside of the Port of Spain General Hospital. “The people anticipated it and waited for it.”

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said the sod-turning for the building was two years ago, on Rowley’s birthday, and described it as a “belated birthday present.” He said it was completed a month ahead of schedule and on budget.

He said the facility is meant to maintain and improve access to personal health care service at the community level and combat the spread of infectious diseases.

Deyalsingh described the facility as another milestone in the health improvement strategy which included the opening of the Arima Hospital, Point Fortin Hospital and a new wing in St James. The location of the centre will benefit 87,000 people in Diego Martin, he said, and should decrease the numbers at St James Medical Complex and the Port of Spain General Hospital.

He reported that the old health centre will be converted to a behavioural wellness centre as part of the thrust to decentralise mental health.

Deyalsingh said a negative pressure isolation room and a separate HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system were included  because of Ebola concerns, and this can now be used for covid19 patients.

He said the health sector was tested like never before in 2020 with the pandemic and “basically came through with flying colours.” He again thanked every health care worker for their service.

North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) chairman Lisa Agard said the centre was the second facility opened in Diego Martin in recent years, with the first being the Carenage Health Centre (opened in August 2015). She stressed it was important to bring health care closer to communities and the advantage will be that health services are more immediately available.

Agard pointed out another benefit was that PoSGH and St James Medical Complex would be reserved for more important health crises.

The Child Assessment Unit at St James will also be moved to the new health centre, which Agard said was part of the thrust to decentralise mental health care in communities.

She also said the spaciousness of the centre will contribute to better patient flow and assist both staff and patients in adhering to covid19 guidelines.

The contractor on the centre was Power Producers Ltd and Udecott was the project manager. Services at the centre will be available from October 8.