Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy has urged REOs to cooperate with his ministry to ensure that there is accountability and accuracy in the management of hospitals and health centres and he added that more authority will be given to them.

Ramsammy made this appeal to the Regional Executive Officers (REOs) and Regional Health Officers (RHOs) at the REOs monthly meeting held at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre. He said over the years there have been many developments in the sector and with cooperation from REOs and other agents health services can be strengthened.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Ramsammy said through new interventions and developments including sensitization campaigns, the public has benefited from precautionary measures and treatments. He said most health facilities countrywide are equipped with most basic drugs. The ministry is also focused on strengthening the health care system by training professionals and, at present several persons are pursuing studies to become nurses, medexes and dental practitioners.

Ramsammy said the ministry will be giving more authority to the regions over their health care programmes. In light of this the budget will be allocated to the RHOs. Ramsammy urged the REOs to submit quarterly reports on the development of health services to inform the ministry of the needs of hospitals and health centres. Also, in order to ensure accountability, Ramsammy said at no time should an RHO be absent from the region without the ministry’s permission.

According to GINA the ministry is also working on improving surgical departments in the regions. Currently hospitals at Mabaruma, Suddie, Lethem and Mahaicony are being rehabilitated and will reopen shortly.