FOAH calls for Arima Health Facility upgrade

The Friends of the Arima Hospital (FOAH) has written to Health Minister John Rahael appealing for the Arima Health Facility to be upgraded to a hospital “in the near future” based on its strategic location, and the increasing population size as a result of housing schemes being extended to accommodate close to 300,000 people. In the letter to Rahael dated July 6, vice-president of FOAH, Balliram Maharaj listed these as some of the reasons for  an urgent upgrade to take place. He also said the facility could assist with natural disasters, help manage national epidemics and alleviate crowding at other medical facilities.

In outlining some of the needs of people in the area, Maharaj said a maternity/child care department was promised ten years ago. “Added to this dilemma, FOAH has recognised that there is a serious and urgent need for parenting and nurturing skills to help alleviate the consequences of dysfunctional family system within the society.” Maharaj also named several specialised services that are needed. Among them, two minor operating theatres for same day surgery, a fully equipped eye clinic, orthopaedic services and a fully equipped dialysis centre. To respond to primary health care needs, he said exercise equipment, counselling services and post surgical intervention and education were needed for patients with diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancers. 

Maharaj said community participation must be enlisted and suggested a meeting with community doctors to compile a data bank of people who would be part of the management medical team. He said another team should comprise nurses, pharmacists and lab technicians within the community. “Payment to these professionals should be for services rendered and not a salary basis. With these teams involved, the entire facility should be operated more efficiently.” The FOAH also provided the minister with a recommendation to assist with the crime problem. Maharaj said ten acres of land and a small grant should be allocated to provide social services for abandoned babies, street children, battered women, the homeless and aged. “This would stop the breeding of new criminals. We feel the best area for this is in the Orange Grove area between Arouca and Trincity on the Highway.”