Neville Paul, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Termite infestation has forced the Southern Regional Health Department (SRHD) to temporarily close the Balaclava Health Centre, in St. Elizabeth.

Regional Director Keith Shakespeare said efforts are now being made to secure funding to fumigate the building and its contents.

"We are now working with a number of contractors and pest control companies to secure estimates for the work that is needed to be done on the Balaclava Health Centre," he said.

Mr. Shakespeare said that even trees on the compound would be purified and that repairs would be done on sections of the structure. The centre was closed three weeks ago following complaints and an inspection of the facility by public health personnel.

He noted that as a result of the closure, operations have been relocated to the Balaclava Baptist Church.

Inconvenience

Mr. Shakespeare stated patrons would experience levels of inconvenience owing to limited space. However, he hopes that operations can be resumed at the health centre in the shortest possible time.

The Balaclava Health Centre serves a population of approximately 10,000 residents from several communities in St. Elizabeth and Manchester within a 16-kilometre radius.

In the meantime, councillor for the Balaclava division, Rodney Barnes, has called for the SRHD and the Ministry of Health to have an ambulance placed at the health centre.

Mr. Barnes said some years ago an ambulance was once placed in the Balaclava community to provide emergency services.

However, since its removal, residents, especially pregnant mothers, frequently have difficulty with timely transportation.

The councillor is also advocating for a nurse to be stationed at the staff quarters.