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A retrofitted Barrouallie Clinic is now rebranded as Barrouallie Smart Health Centre, after a period of reorganization to better cater to the needs of both patients and nurses in the town of Barrouallie and its surroundings.

The upgraded health centre was handed over to the Ministry of Health following a ceremony which took place on Friday, 16th July, 2021 at the Centre’s location.

Remarks came from several Government Officials namely Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Area Representative Dr. Orande Brewster, Minister of Health Hon. St. Clair Prince and representatives of contributors to the refurbishment, Dr. Yitades Gibre representing PAHO/WHO and Michael Knights representing Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) formally called The United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID).

Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves addressing the ceremony warned citizens to pay closer attention to their health. PM Gonsalves said Diabetes and Hypertension are on the rise and though the health system is equipped with the necessary equipment to monitor and check these ‘lifestyle diseases’, citizens must watch the food they consume and have regular checks done for safety.

Dr. Gonsalves said that while this country suffered gaps in pediatric care, it is now the centre of critical pediatric care in the Eastern Caribbean, a fruit from a partnership with the World Pediatric Project. He further added, that Saint. Vincent and the Grenadines will soon boast of a Centre of a West Indian Neurosurgical base.

Minister of National Mobilization Hon. Dr. Orande Brewster, said his government’s undertaking in health care with the implementation of smart hospitals and smart clinics across the country has revolutionize health care and create decentralization of services provided by health facilities.

Dr. Brewster urged the residence to care and cherish the facility while maximizing the services it offers. He presented a donation of a 50 inch smart television to complement the rebranded Smart Health Centre.

Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment Hon. St. Clair Prince reiterated that residents make maximum use of the facility noting that a maternity suite was added. Minister Prince said that one of the major principles to the renovation of the health facilities across the country is to add living quarters for nurses to ensure service can be provided more frequently as the nurses are more easily accessible and available.

Prince added that there are 16 other clinics currently being refurbished in an effort to provide comfortable health care to all citizens.

Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Representative Michael Knights said Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was the pioneer and pilot for the Smart Hospital approach. He said the country has provided real time evidence of the benefits of the programme.

PAHO/WHO Representative Dr. Yitades Gibre thanked Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and the Minister of Health St. Clair Prince for allowing PAHO/WHO to be contributors of the Smart Health Care developments throughout the country in an effort to ensure greener and safer health care.

The reorganized structure is a collaborative effort between the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, PAHO/WHO and FCDO. It saw upgrades which include but are not limited to - improvement to the general structure of the building, upgrade to the roof to improve wind resistance and air flow to the building, new epoxy grade flooring, upgrade to walkways and external drainage, bathroom, generator room, stand by generator, installation of electrical hurricane shutters, installation of ramps and rails to facilitate wheelchair assistance, installation of emergency lighting, installation of a VHF radio for emergency, installation of solar system for energy, installation of fire alarm system, water tank installation, water tank storage, installation of solar water system, etc.

SOURCE: Agency for Public Information