Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran says the ministry will be assuming responsibility for the Uitvlugt estate dispensary that is operated by Guysuco.

Dr Bheri Ramsaran

Dr Ramsaran told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the ministry has been negotiating with the Guyana Sugar Corporation for the clinic located at De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara. The minister made this disclosure while inspecting the facility for repairs.

Dr Ramsaran said eventually the infirmary will offer more services. “We want to take the facility over gradually. We don’t want to create a gap; we want to conduct a smooth transition,” he said. The minister said too that a MoU had been drafted and sent to Guysuco for continued discussions.

Dr Ramsaran said the ministry is interested in obtaining the clinic to accommodate about 70 final-year Guyanese medical students who will be returning from Cuba after completing their studies. The students will be attached to the Leonora Diagnostic and Treatment Centre and the West Demerara Hospital.

GINA said a similar facility at the Leonora hospital is also being refurbished to accommodate two Guyanese doctors who returned last year and who are currently posted at the centre. The dispensary currently manages 300 pensioners and workers and facilitates per month about 250 patients from the community.

According to GINA Dr Ramsaran also gave assurances that the ministry and Guysuco have no plans to retrench pensioners or staff since they have given many years of service to the industry and community. However the ministry will be adding more health care workers to the facility.

GINA said too the ministry had assumed control of the Edinburgh dispensary in East Bank Berbice from Guysuco six years ago. This clinic currently serves Region Six.