Government opens new health post in Almas, near São Tomé
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Rádio Somos Todos Primos
The government has opened the Almas clinic, which will allow residents to receive care without travelling to Bombom, Água Grande or the central hospital. It offers consultations, maternal and child care, a pharmacy, a laboratory and screening for HIV, tuberculosis, syphilis and malaria, according to Rádio Somos Todos Primos.
The São Tomé and Príncipe government has opened the Almas health post, in a locality near São Tomé, according to Rádio Somos Todos Primos. This new facility is intended to improve access to care for the local population, who until now had to travel to the health centres in Bombom and Água Grande or to the Central Hospital.
The post provides general medical consultations, maternal and child care, dispensing of medicines, laboratory tests and screening for HIV, tuberculosis, syphilis and malaria. The regional delegate for the Centre region, Eliseu Nunes, said a team will initially run the service, before it is expanded depending on the technical and human resources available. He acknowledged that human resources are a problem for the health system.
The rooms are equipped and the unit should be operational by December at the latest. Prime Minister Américo Ramos urged residents to help protect the facility and announced that the government will continue its investment in new infrastructure. According to Eliseu Nunes, the post could become multipurpose and also serve as a border post.
