More than 100 persons have been treated at the newly commissioned Brian Sucre Junction Health Post in Region Eight during its first week of operation, according to Regional Executive Officer (REO) Marti DeSouza.
DeSouza told the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Sunday that the facility, which was commissioned last Friday, is already providing healthcare services to residents and miners in the surrounding communities.
The health post was commissioned by Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Pauline Sukhai and Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs. It was established to improve access to healthcare for residents who previously had to travel to Mahdia for medical treatment.
According to DeSouza, persons seeking healthcare services often had to undertake a journey of about one hour to Mahdia, incurring transportation costs estimated between $60,000 and $80,000.
He said the health post is currently serving a number of nearby communities and mining districts and is staffed by community health workers.
An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) was also handed over to the facility to support healthcare delivery in the area.
“The vehicle will play a vital role in supporting referrals, outreach services and the movement of healthcare personnel, ensuring that residents can access timely medical care when needed,” DeSouza was quoted by DPI as saying.
The health post was constructed at a cost of more than $13 million.
DeSouza also pointed to the ongoing construction of the $5.4 billion Kato Regional Hospital, which is expected to enhance healthcare delivery in Region Eight by providing advanced medical services closer to residents.
The hospital forms part of government’s broader efforts to expand healthcare infrastructure in hinterland communities and improve access to medical services across the region.
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