Up Front
Minister visits district andschool health clinics
Dr. Kiran Kumar (left) and Head Nurse,Ms Jean Lackan, speak with the minister at the West Bay NursesHealth Centre.
Assessing the status of Grand Cayman's districtand school-based health clinics was the purpose of a recent day-longtour conducted by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Linford Pierson,JP.
Winding from West Bay to East End, the itinerary included allof the district health centres and most of the primary schools,as well as George Hicks and John Gray schools.
The Minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Ms AndreaBryan; Senior Assistant Secretary, Mr Colin Ross; Director ofHealth Services, Mr Mervyn Conolly; Medical Officer of Health,Dr. Kiran Kumar; and Senior Nursing Officer, Ms Hazel Brown.
During the tour, staff of the Health Services Department's PublicHealth unit, who work in the various clinics, outlined the levelof health care given in the district health centres and schools.Nurses and doctors in these satellite offices offer a range ofcare, from administering medication to dressing cuts and scrapesresulting from playground activities, to health education.
The visits also gave Mr. Pierson an opportunity to note areasin which the level of care could be increased. Specifically, GeorgeTown and Savannah primaries felt that students there would benefitfrom a few extra hours per week of nursing coverage.
"It is apparent that the district centres, as well as theschool clinics, provide a much-needed service," Mr. Piersonsaid. "They are a great benefit to the people of the CaymanIslands, and the ministry will continue working to strengthenthis vital aspect of the Health Services Department," headded.