The satellite facility will also service the 400 residents from Behring Point, Cargill Creek, Bowen Sound, Love Hill, Stanyard Creek and Blanket Sound.
The opening of the new clinic Thursday marked the first time essential health care services are being provided to the nearby residents, who previously travelled the 19-miles to Fresh Creek, the nearest clinic, or 47-miles to Nicholl’s Town.
Dr Utam Chavan from the Fresh Creek clinic will provide weekly visits to the Nathalie Saunders-Roberts Community Clinic, which opens just weeks after the Miriam Greene Community Health Centre was officially opened in South Andros.
Once an abandoned teachers’ residence, the clinic, which cost $60,000 to renovate and furbish, houses a waiting area, an examination room, a nurse’s treatment room, storage for medical supplies and a rest room.
Minister of Health and Environmental Services Dr Marcus Bethel told the large crowd that satellite clinics have links in small communities, like Stafford Creek, in the Family Islands.
“They promote social and economic traditions, encourage and uphold cultural traditions, encourage decentralisation from the capital, while at the same time provide quality health care to those living there,” said the minister.
Dr Bethel noted that the clinic is essential for the settlements, in which the majority are elderly people and children.
“In human development, children are the future generation and represent the hope for a better tomorrow. The elderly are our tradition bearers, historians and mentors, who have kept our communities alive and thriving. It is therefore, our duty to provide accessible and quality health care for them, close to where they live,” said Dr Bethel.
He further announced that the residence for doctors and nurses, employed at the Nicholl’s Town clinic, is being renovated and an ambulance is servicing the Fresh Creek clinic.
The clinic was named in commemoration of nurse and mid-wife the late Nathalie Rosetta Saunders-Roberts, and her service to health care.
For many years, Ms Saunders-Roberts would care for the ill and supply medications to new mothers and their young until their strength was renewed. However, it was not until 1970 that she enrolled in a course that provided new skills and techniques for mid-wives. The North Andros Development Association honoured her for her efforts in 1988.
Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia Pratt noted that the naming of the clinic highlights the important role that nurses play.
“This is the third official naming of a clinic after a nurse,” said Mrs Pratt, a former nurse. “Finally, nurses are getting their due. I don’t know if we stop to think about the contributions that nurses make to our community. We cannot begin to imagine the kind of hours we put in without asking for anything, recognising that our job is so valuable. Health care is indeed the wealth of the nation.”
Donald Roberts, Ms Saunders-Roberts’ son, thanked the government and health care officials at the ceremony for naming the clinic after his mother.
An emotional Roberts said, “It’s good to know that happy memories of Nathalie Saunders-Roberts will linger for generations, thanks to this clinic dedication.”
While quoting the verses of a hymn, Mr Roberts choked on the words as he began to weep.
“May the service that I give speak for me. May my life speak for me,” he recited.
Member of Parliament for North Andros Vincent Peet urged the residents to take care of the facility, so that it could be used for years to come.
Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Perry Christie, Mrs Pratt, Dr Bethel, Mr Peet and Mr Roberts unveiled a plaque, which marked the date of the official opening, and those involved in the project.
By Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian
