by Mervin Matthew & Emmanuel H. Joseph,
Government Information Service
 New health centre at Salybia
Residents of the Carib Territory now have a brand new health care facility. The Salybia Health Centre was officially opened on Wednesday, 10th August, 2011.
The official opening ceremony was attended by Hon Acting Prime Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore, Hon Acting Health Minister, Justina Charles, Hon Opposition Leader, Hector John, other government officials, representatives of the sponsors, Carib Chief, Garnet Joseph, and members of the Carib council and residents of the community.
The Acting Carib Development Officer, Sylvanie Burton, hails the occasion as an historic one.
“Today marks a historic day for the people of this community who will benefit from the services which will be provided. It also marks a day of gratification for all the movers and shakers who ensured that what once was a dream, is on its way to becoming a reality. But most importantly, it demonstrates the interest which is being placed by our leaders on the health needs of the Kalinago people.”
 Acting Carib Development
Officer, Sylvanie Burton
John Hawley of the Salybia Mission Project is very excited about the new development and the evident support by Government towards the development of the facility.
“What this represents is the embrace by the national government, the embrace of this achievement and to see what this achievement really represents. It is a testimonial to the larger world that this nation values and supports the self-help efforts of its people including the outstanding indigenous community which it is a privilege of Dominica to have as part of its community. This represents a symbol of hope and possibility not just for people in the territory but also for all Dominicans that they can take control, they can step forward and that their lives will be better as a result of their efforts and the Government will back you and make sure that your efforts succeed.”
 John Hawley of the
Salybia Mission Project
Pastor Dan Hopkins of the Nazarene Development Fund explained that the facility has top of the line equipment to facilitate efficient care to patients.
“Inside this building might be the best ECG machine in the country. We have a twelve (12) lead ECG machine here and that ECG machine has a computer synchronisation which does not require a doctor for diagnosis. It has about twenty thousand (20 000) combinations of existing heart conditions that it can read from based on the information that machine reads and can print out, in layman’s terms, a diagnosis of the condition of a person’s heart. I think that is an incredible thing to have right here in this medical facility. Some of the examination tables we have purchased are state-of-the-art and brand new. These examination tables have actually a draw in them that is heated so that when a woman has been given a vaginal exam, the instruments are already warm. It has a tray to pull out so that if you have a birth there, the fluids will flow into a tub/tray. We have also been able to purchase these lights for examinations that are used by heart surgeons in America. They are battery operated and fit on your head and run by rechargeable batteries. They are the latest start-of-the-art lamps for examinations. We have also been able to purchase a lamp to put over a baby, that is not only a regular heat lamp but it can treat for jaundice.”
 Pastor Dan Hopkins of the
Nazarene Development Fund
Pastor Hopkins also pledged his ministry’s continued support to the facility.
“We want to continue to supply this medical facility with the very best in equipment so that it stands out not just as a place that gets by but as a place that maybe sets a little bit of the standard for what can be done when people collaborate with others to provide the very best in medical care.”
Carib Chief Garnet Joseph said that the new facility is a demonstration of the priority of the council with regards to the health of its people and Dominica in general
 Carib Chief, Garnett Joseph
“We are not only looking at this building but also we are looking at what we have been able to provide in the line of health care to Dominica; our contribution as Kalinago people to health care in this country. This building is something that we have to give to the country. It is for us but at the same time, the Government of Dominica has the responsibility to provide health care, so we are now handing it over. Because the agreement that we have with Government is that we are allowed to use this building for only $1 a year. This building was not meant to generate money. It was built to provide a service and we want to ensure this is what is provided inside here. But not just a service, we want it to be the very best of service.”
Meantime Hon. Parliamentary Representative for the Carib Territory and Minister of Carib Affairs, Ashton Graneau, has commended the council for working together with international agencies to source funding for the construction of the facility.
 Hon. Parliamentary
Representative for the
Carib Territory and
Minister for Carib
Affairs, Ashton Graneau
“This is a clear indication of what collaboration can do and can achieve….The Carib Council has shown itself, has indicated to us that it is a model for other councils to emulate. Here you have a local government authority that is able to source funding from other organisations free from Government’s interference. I think that the Carib Councils and I say councils because this one and the one before it have done a tremendous job in this initiative in getting this project afoot.”
Hon. Graneau strongly urged residents to take care of the facility.
“Now that we have achieved something to be proud of, I think it is our responsibility now to ensure that we guard this facility with our hearts and soul. Sometimes, we do not do what is necessary to safeguard our own. Therefore, I believe in light of this, it is our responsibility to ensure that this facility is well taken care of and is well guarded and remain intact.”
Acting Hon. Minister for Health, Justina Charles, called on residents of the Carib Territory and Dominica by extension to adopt a positive attitude towards their health.
 Acting Hon. Minister for
Health, Justina Charles
“I want to add though that the health infrastructure will be of no significance if our attitude towards health is not addressed. I appreciate also the enormous capacity embodied in the Caribe people with a unique workforce well placed to ensure the success of community projects such as the construction of this health facility. I admire the values that guide your mission. This should come as no surprise as they are so close to those of the Ministry of Health. We share the priority you give to the vulnerable members of your community in terms of provision of adequate health care and we share your wider ambition to alleviate poverty, reduce inequities and strengthen the capacity of your community.”
Acting Prime Minister Hon Rayburn Blackmoore said that the construction of the facility further compliments the efforts of the current administration to improve health care in Dominica.
“It is indeed consistent with the policy of Government in ensuring that everyone, notwithstanding his social class or geographical location has access to basic health care services….We recognise that good health is a cornerstone of a sustainable society and the Carib Territory is no exception.” |
