Two more Medical Stations have been recommissioned on the island with help from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The two - Sung Corner and New Hampshire medial stations -were put back into use on Tuesday at a ceremony held at the Sung Corner Medical Station in the St. George north-east constituency.

The refurbishing of both medical stations was funded by USAID and contracted by the Planning and Development Collaborative International (PADCO).

Programme Manager at USAID, Robert Resseguie noted that the refurbishment of the medical facilities took place under the Hurricane Recovery Program which ends in December.

He disclosed that under that program eleven (11) medical stations have been repaired at a cost of $500,000.00

Several medical stations of the island were destroyed or badly damaged during the passage of Hurricane Ivan in September 2004.

Resseguie admitted that the refurbishment of the medical stations look longer than anticipated and thanked the staff and residents for their patience.

Minister of Health Senator Ann David-Antoine who addressed the ceremony indicated that the refurbishment of the two medical facilities would not have been possible, if it was not for the “sound relationship” between Grenada and the United States.

She said that the staff underwent some training in order to ensure that the facilities operated to their full potential.

She stated that nurses have been trained in eye care, diabetics and tinea pedis (care of the foot).

Minister Antoine pledged to ensure that the facilities are used to the best of their abilities.

Minister of Agriculture Gregory Bowen pointed out that the efforts of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell must also be recognised for the role played in getting the project started.

He said that immediately after Hurricane Ivan struck the island, Prime Minister Mitchell met with President George Bush and then Secretary of State Colin Powell to discuss the island’s needs.

Minister indicated that USAID was not only assisting Grenada in areas of education, training and agriculture, but was helping to pay its utility bills.

Parliamentary Representative of St. George North-East Nazim Burke of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), reminded the gathering that the constituency especially the village of Beaulieu suffered the most from the pounding of the hurricane including loss of life and damages to infrastructure.

Burke thanked USAID for what he called the tremendous sacrifice made over the last 10 years in assisting developing countries around the world.

The M.P called on members of the constituency to take care of the community centre and medical facilities and to ensure that they do not suffer from acts of vandalism