CARIMAC Times 2016: The JREAM Edition Journalists Reviving Awareness of what Matters | Page 79

of access to medications on the Vital Essential
and Necessary (VEN) drug list at no cost.
Moncrieffe and Phang said when they have to
visit a doctor, they usually go to the Community
Health and Psychiatry Health Centre that is
located on UWI, Mona campus. The Community
Health Centre is owned by the Government
and the University of the West Indies. The cost
to see a doctor is $50 for a child and $200 for
an adult.
Pap smears and post-natal visits are the most
expensive service offered, costing $500 each.
Even though the cost is so low, many of the
patients still complain about it. Ricketts
Roomes recounted that when the adult price
moved from $100 to $200, many people were
displeased. They communicated this by cursing
staff members, describing them as wicked. The
point they kept emphasising is that they did
not have any money.
Ricketts Roomes said parents who are unable
to cater to the health needs of their family
must seek help.
“They are to take advantage of the free health
care that is available. I know it’s not perfect,
but it’s better than having nothing.”

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