The professional staff at Stony Hill Health Centre
The wife of the head of Cuba’s medical brigade in Jamaica, Dr Libietys Avila Gutierrez, a medical doctor, had weeks ago praised some of what was happening in Jamaica’s health care at the primary level, saying, among other things, that some of the health centres were going the extra mile in looking after the people.
She had mentioned, among the lot, the Stony Hill Health Centre in St Andrew, which also had opened up its doors beyond normal hours for mostly poor people who visit the facility, and the range of services offered there.
The matter of customer service did not come up during the discussion with Dr Avila Gutierrez, so that’s why I was so pleasantly surprised when I went there last Thursday to have a prescription filled for my elderly relative that the staff were so professional and respectful.
It was not the usual talking down to those who go there to seek medical attention, that one has grown accustomed to. Mind you, I had not visited a health centre, or clinic in over a year, so changes in customer service might have taken place without my knowing. But the Stony Hill experience was first rate. Starting with the security guard at the front who greeted you with a genuine woman’s smile, to the lady collecting prescriptions, asking you if you wanted to wait, or return in two hours for the medical goodies, and handing them out at the prescribed deadline.
Trust me, it was the kind of refreshing experience that you least expect, and I do not think it was a one-off situation, or fluke. I had to convey my regards to the person handing out the medicines of how impressed I was with the way she dealt with the people.
As I walked away, I wondered if I shouldn’t stick around a while longer, not just to enjoy the ‘cool breeze’ of the community, but to see what had brought about this seeming revolution in tending to the sick.
With staff like those in place, I’m sure that many of those who go to Stony Hill Health Centre, which, incidentally, looks physically grand, will leave the facility content in the view that they were well looked after.