Construction is currently ongoing on two new schools in Region Seven, at 72 Miles and Itaballi, according to Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford. Bradford told the Government Information Agency that as a result of inclement weather, work was delayed but will be completed early this year.
Speaking about the region’s programme, Bradford added that roads have been rehabilitated at Bamford Point, West Indian housing scheme, Agatash, and Caribese Hill. In terms of health care delivery, extension works were carried out at the Kamarang Hospital and a new nurses’ hostel was built.
Bartica has also developed a mechanism to facilitate residents who are in need of surgery, especially those in the outlying communities. He told GINA that health workers are deployed to the various communities to make house calls and diagnose patients.
Those who are recommended for surgery are taken to Bartica where the medical procedures are done. After the post-surgery treatment, patients are taken back to their respective communities. This is done on a monthly basis, GINA said.
Bradford said that there is a shortage of teachers in some of the remote areas such as Kurupung. This is as a result of teachers not wanting to be posted in these places.
He told GINA that while the efforts being made to train more teachers is recognised, the region will be attempting to provide furnished living quarters for teachers and health staff, which will hopefully be an incentive for them to take up jobs in these areas.
