Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter

PORT ANTONIO, Portland:

Access to health care has always been a pressing issue for human beings. That access for residents of Moore Town in the upper Rio Grande Valley and its surrounding areas will be improved with the reconstruction of their health centre, which lies in the heart of the town.

The centre, which, according to residents, has been out of operation for at least nine years, is undergoing rehabilitation through efforts by members of the community, the North East Regional Health Authority and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

Wallace Sterling, colonel of the Moore Town community, which is also a Maroon dwelling, said residents are ecstatic.

Sterling told The Gleaner that the facility, which opened in 1962, served many individuals in Windsor, Fellowship, Seaman Valley, Ginger House, Comfort Castle and Mill Bank, but fell into disrepair after several hurricanes and storms.

"It was badly in need of repair because the roof was leaking profusely, so the clinic had to be held in the church and from the church they had to move it to Fellowship and that greatly inconvenienced residents," he said.

Budget

Information from JSIF reveals that the rehabilitation project, which is funded from the Emergency Recovery Project of the World Bank, is budgeted at $4.1 million. Work is expected to take place on the roof, replacement of windows and doors, grillwork, installation of cupboards, replacement of sanitary fixtures, electrical installation, painting of wall, floor finishing, installing of water storage tank and perimeter fencing.

Kathleen Wright, principal of Moore Town Primary and Junior High, is happy that her students don't have to travel far, sometimes 16 miles to Fellowship, and further to Port Antonio, to receive help.

"I am very, very happy, because being at school, you have accidents and you have to rush them to Port Antonio and it is right next to the school, so if it was in operation it would be good for us, you don't have to go all the way to Port Antonio," she said.

The work, which started in September, is expected to be completed in December. The centre will be officially handed over in June next year.