Jamalco establishes maternity unit in Farm

George Henry, Gleaner Writer

FARM, Manchester:

More than 1,500 residents from Farm and surrounding communities in South Manchester will benefit from a new maternity unit established at the Farm Community Centre by more than 70 volunteers.

The maternity unit was constructed inside the community centre during October by volunteers from bauxite and alumina company Jamalco, and community volunteers. The project was carried out as part of Alcoa's worldwide month of service activities organised during October.

Lola Pinnock, community leader and literacy teacher at Campbell's Castle Primary School, came up with the idea to construct the unit. She explained that the old clinic, located at Windsor, was in a dilapidated condition, and was closed when the owner decided to take back the land following the expiration of a lease arrangement. This forced residents to access medical care several miles away at Windsor or at Prattville in the parish.

Pinnock pointed out that this change, which occurred some 10 years ago, brought undue hardship to the lives of pregnant women and mothers.

Proper care

"A number of pregnant women have gone without proper antenatal care, and several children have been born at home. Now, when it is time for the children to enter school, we are finding that they have not been registered, because there is no follow-up through the health clinic," explained Pinnock.

With the problem identified, the vibrant community leader approached member of parliament for South Manchester, Michael Peart, for assistance. He assisted by providing materials, including lumber, windows and doors to construct the two-room unit in one corner of the large community centre.

Jamalco's involvement

Explaining Jamalco's involvement in the project, community relations officer in South Manchester, Natalee Irving, said Pinnock worked through the South Manchester community council and approached Jamalco for assistance to complete and equip the maternity unit. The company, she said, agreed to do this through its Alcoans Coming Together In Our Neighbourhood (ACTION) Programme, funded by the Alcoa Foundation.

"Under the ACTION Programme, Alcoa and Jamalco encourage teams of 10 or more employees to volunteer their time on valuable community projects, and in recognition of this service the Alcoa Foundation provides a grant of US$3,000 to each project that is completed," said Irving.

The unit will operate once per week to provide antenatal and childcare services to the communities including Farm, Windsor, Mount Oliphant and Numpriel.