EFFORTS to improve health facilities to extend access by communities across the country should be widely welcomed.

Despite improvements in the health sector, the reality is that for many people getting health care and treatment when needed is often still fraught with difficulties.

In the hinterland region it could mean travelling over mountains and across rivers for days and along the coast the trek to the nearest health centre, outpost or hospital can take long hours, much effort and money.

Medical workers or medexes are stationed in many communities around the country and provide an essential service, particularly in the hinterland and riverain areas.

But the outreach of this system has to be spread further to provide proper cover for all.

In this situation therefore, it is to be expected that communities would be overjoyed when it is announced that health centres are to be put up near them.

Establishment of a health outpost would be big news for people in some places and the opening up of a new health centre would be even bigger news for others.

So it is difficult to understand and appreciate the attempt by a group last week to protest the turning of the sod ceremony for a new health centre at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

The protesters failed to disrupt the proceedings and the Police kept them under control.

It seems that the group had grouses over facilities for their area but the authorities are expected to take all factors into consideration when locating a health centre for the benefit of all the citizens in surrounding communities.

Former President Janet Jagan, who was instrumental in getting the project off the ground, was understandably upset at the stand by the protesters.

"I was disheartened to learn that some persons do not approve of this site, and I call on those who do not agree with this site to have better judgement and to recognise that what is being done, is in the interest of the community", she said.

"I urge everyone to come together so that we can have a united community.

"This is very important and I would call on those who do not agree with the site to be more reasonable and to remember (this centre) will benefit (everyone) and they would have to come here for the health aid they need - so let's not have a division in communities, let us have unity," she reiterated.

Like schools, potable water supply systems, electricity and other basic social infrastructure essential for modern living, putting up health centres should not be a cause for division.

Under current economic conditions, it is clear that a health centre or outpost cannot be put up in every community of the country and the authorities would not be able to please everyone in their choice of location.

There would be differences but health centres are too essential to communities to be the subject of bitter disputes.

They are meant to provide healing and caring - not create conflict and open wounds.