HEART Trust spruces up Flanker Health Centre

The Flanker Health Centre in St James recently benefited from a joint spruce-up project undertaken by the HEART Trust-NTA northwest TVET institutes.

More than 23 general construction trainees as well as members of staff from the Cornwall Automotive and Granville Campuses in St James; Kenilworth Campus in Hanover and the Falmouth campus in Trelawny gave a major facelift to the health facility that was in need of improvement.

"The roof and ceiling were in dire need of repair and replacement, the floor needed retiling to improve the aesthetics of the interior and, in addition, the exterior of the facility needed some painting and improved landscaping work," Rapheletta Wright, head of programmes of HEART northwest TVET institutes, said.

Wright said the management of the institution saw it fit to initiate an upgrading project at the health centre as part of the drive to promote good corporate and social responsibility. In addition, the initiative also served as a graded practical project for the trainees.

"The staff here are elated and they want us to do as much as we can, and we feel pleased with that, because it is not just to say we are doing something, but we have to be a socially responsible entity. There is a dire need and we are trying to make sure that needs are met," Wright stated.

In the meantime, the five-woman staff at the health centre has lauded the team for the humanitarian aid, noting that the facility has been left neglected by the relevant authorities despite constant lobbying for repairs.

"Right now we need a new stand for the water tank, because the one we have now is rusting away and we don't want it to fall on anyone," said registered midwife Jacqueline Reid-Fletcher.

"We need more workspace for the nurses also, but we nonetheless appreciate what is being done here today by HEART," she added.