CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (August 23, 2010) — The Nevis Island Administration [NIA] continues in its quest to provide preventive rather than curative healthcare to the people of Nevis.

Its newest accomplishment was the construction of a modern medical facility in Brown Hill Village.

At an opening ceremony held on July 23, Minister of Health in the NIA and area representative for the parish of St. John’s, Honourable Hensley Daniel spoke of the significance of having healthcare facilities located around the island.

“It is an important component in the preventive care programme of the Ministry of Health.

“It is also an aspect of decentralization where we are seeking to ease the pressure from the main facility at Alexandra [the Alexandra Hospital],” Minister Daniel said.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development and representative of the Basic Needs Trust Fund [BNTF], Alsted Pemberton appealed to nurses and other healthcare professionals to administer quality service and care at all times.

“Responsiveness to community needs is a key element of primary healthcare. Therefore, with this new facility, you must redouble your efforts and reconfirm your commitment to primary healthcare as an essential strategy for delivering, promoting, preventative and rehabilitative care to the people of Brown Hill and also those who access its services,” Pemberton said.

Several government officials, including Premier of Nevis Honourable Joseph Parry, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Mrs. Jocelyn Liburd and Health Advisor in the NIA Mrs. Patricia “Patsy” Hanley were on hand to witness the event.

The newly constructed centre includes examination rooms, reception area, doctor’s office, kitchen, laundry, pharmacy and nurses’ station.

Funding for the project came from the Caribbean Development Bank, the Canadian International Development Agency [CIDA] and the Ministry of Health through the BNTF.