St. Paul’s, 8^th September, 2024 — With Cobbs Cross Clinic under construction and Liberta Clinic undergoing refurbishment, it became necessary to ensure the provision of uninterrupted healthcare service to families and children within the community.

The temporary addition of a Child Health Clinic at the St. Paul’s Empowerment Center was specifically requested by the community nurse to meet this need, at no cost to parents.

Since its establishment the St. Paul’s Empowerment Center, which is also a hurricane shelter, has served as a focal point for numerous beneficial community activities, including:

 Educational Programmes: CXC classes in subjects like Math, English and Social Studies, Vocational Training: sewing and floral design classes, Music education: guitar, pan and keyboard lessons, Community Health Clinics: vision, neurology, and prostate screenings Recording Studio: supporting community artists, Radio Station: disseminating timely and beneficial information for the betterment of our community

The establishment of the temporary Child Health Clinic is in line with this mission of public service, and provides essential services to families at no cost during the construction and refurbishment of other healthcare facilities in the area.

Politically motivated misinformation about the Clinic, from aspiring candidate Wayne Marsh, has recently surfaced on media platforms aligned with the opposition United Progressive Party.  Mr. Marsh’s insinuation that this clinic represents a political maneuver, safety risk and privacy risk is both misleading and incorrect.

The Ministry of Health has clear and established procedures for the custody of medical records in the event of the temporary closure of community clinics. 

No medical records are stored at the Empowerment Center, and the insinuations made to the contrary are a grave insult to our nurses and medical officials.

Additionally, all vaccinations and any other medical services provided within the Child Health Clinic are administered by trained medical staff, who adhere to established storage and safety protocols.

Further, is simply idiotic that Mr. Marsh would expect and, worse yet, advocate that the sitting MP, Hon. E.P. Chet Greene should refuse the use of the Empowerment Center for a public good, especially one that ensures the health of our children.

The setup of the temporary Child Health Clinic, in response to the request of the community nurse, is a testament to Mr. Greene’s commitment to consistently supporting the St. Paul’s community in all practical ways.

Despite the shameless political mechanics of Wayne Marsh, the public is encouraged to view the Child Health Clinic at the Empowerment Center for what it is: a timely, community-driven solution to an immediate need.