Residents of Old Road and surrounding communities will soon enjoy improved health care services

Photos of the new Old Road Clinic (Photo by Erasmus Williams)

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 15TH 2012 (CUOPM) – Residents of the Old Road, Verchild’s, Middle Island, Challengers and neighbouring communities will soon enjoy a boost in primary health care services.

A new Old Road Health Center with an expanded floor space of 1,680 square feet has been constructed.

The EC$835,000 building, now completed was jointly financed by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Caribbean Development Bank in the ratio of 20 % to 80% under the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF).

The services to be offered include doctor’s clinic, family planning clinic, diabetic clinic, hypertensive clinic, disability clinic, antenatal and post natal clinic, HIV testing and Pap smear clinic.

“The project also involved construction of a car park for 8 cars at the rear of the building and allowance for easy access for challenged persons and persons in wheelchairs,” said BNTF Project Officer, Mr. Osbert DeSuza.

He said the successful contractor was Mr. Clinton Silliday of Old Road.

“This was a plus for the project as it is the aim of the programme to provide temporary employment to persons in beneficiary communities,” Mr. DeSuza added.

He said that the project which commenced in January 2012 should have been completed in June 2012.

“There were some delays and the project had to be put on hold three times for a total period of 6 weeks. This was dues to the fact that the contractor was paid directly from the Caribbean Development Bank and at times these payments were lagging. The work is now completed,” Mr. DeSuza told the Communications Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister (CUOPM).

Minister of Health, Hon. Marcella Liburd (St. Christopher 2 – Labour) and Acting Permanent Secretary, Mr. Andrew Skerritt are soon to tour the building.