Hours after teaming up with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to commission the Takutu Bridge, President Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday officially declared open the new regional hospital for Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) at Lethem.
The new Regional Hospital that was commissioned on Monday. (Photo by Mark McGowan)
Minister within the Health Ministry Dr Bheri Ramsarran noted that the new facility was a joint venture between the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Guyana.
He said that the CDB had partnered with the government to provide funding for two hinterland hospitals one at Lethem and the other at Mabaruma, both of which have been completed. Both hospitals had opened their doors to citizens although neither had been officially commissioned by the government, the minister noted, even as he stated that recently government has established several health facilities without the accompanying pomp and ceremony.
Speaking specifically about the Lethem hospital, Ramsarran said it was a state-of-the art facility which would rival any regional hospital in the country. He said the hospital would also be adequately staffed with personnel who had the skills that were necessary.
President Jagdeo (third right), Regional Executive Officer for Region Nine Donald Gajraj (third left), Dr Bheri Ramsarran (second right, partly hidden), and other onlookers applaud after the commemorative plaque was unveiled. (Photo by Mark McGowan)
The hospital is also equipped with a reconditioned ambulance, which the minister noted was much more than “a minibus with a stretcher inside”, as was the case with ambulances at some private and public hospitals.
While noting that all was not perfect with the local health sector, Ramsarran said that with investments by the government, the sector was progressing rapidly.
In the feature address, President Jagdeo said the hospital was another initiative by the government to improve the lives of citizens living off the coast. He said historically, the services offered by the state lagged far behind those offered on the coast, but the PPP/C administration has been working ever since it came to power to bridge this gap.
The President said that the issue of development of the interior communities was a priority since persons should have the freedom to choose where they live, and having made their choice should have opportunities to prosper. He noted that key to bridging the gap in development was ensuring that persons have opportunities for education and healthcare. He explained that this is why the government is spending so much in the health and education sectors.
However, Jagdeo noted that there were still “more needs than resources” and the government had to limit its spending, since it could not afford to live above its means. He pointed out that when the country did so in its past the consequences were dire for the nation. “We still have more needs than resources,” he said.
Speaking about the developments in the health sector, Jagdeo said that there has been some noticeable improvement in the sector especially with regard to training of more doctors. According to him, a few years ago there were only about 150 doctors in the local health system but in another five years there will be about 750 doctors will be added to this number.
Meanwhile, Jagdeo once again underscored the importance of developing agriculture in the hinterland regions, while emphasizing that this needed to be done in a sensible manner that would lead to economic development without hindering the environment. He also said that each of the villages needed to find a sustainable activity which would help create jobs for its people.
Congratulations to the government on the provision of this valuable and needed facility. It’s a start and a move in the right direction. A good way to spend the people’s money. Please maintain your objectivity bloggers by being complimentary when it’s deserved.
The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Malcolm X
“Boo hoo. hoo..Help me, Reddy. I din looking for another letter today but I is got two good news stories about openings.Boo. hoo. hoo. wha me to do now ? After the BIG LETDOWN bout Simels case and then the bridge opening dem and now this…Boo.hoo.hoo help me, Reddy…” (In quotes, get it folks ?)
Awewsome news, Thanks CDB, I wonder when I will be able to thank a government in GY for fully funding a project on their own.
Hmmmmmm!!
Development and more development! Every day brings good tidings from Guyana, courtesy of the democratically elected PPP government. More spanking new hospitals. More Guyanese doctors graduating and returning to serve from Cuba. More benefits for Guyanese in the hinterland. The gap with the coastland is closing. News like this must surely rile the anti-PPP whiners and jack up their bile.
It is not that they are Anti-PPP Yasuman,,,it is because they are against progress and developments, they are accustomed to seeing Guyana in the 70’s and 80’s as a failed state…There is a certain Blogger here will still ask what has the PPP done in 17 years???
“The advantage that hospitals have over other institutions is that hospitals are community-based. You can’t outsource your work; you can’t move your emergency department to Pakistan.”
– Mark Shields, American journalist.
Dear Presi Jagdeo,
Thanks for all the good things you are doing for all Guyanese.
Having had the honour of meeting you I sensed your willingness to do what is right for Guyana.
Take care and continue to serve our country.
As a Rupununi Man, I would like to thank the president for the many development works that have been undertaken recently – Takutu Bridge, Lethem hospital, paving of the roads in Lethem, a larger generator for 24hrs electricity in Lethem etc. These are all signs that the government is taking the Lethem area very seriously, with the intention to trasform it into a main economic hub of Guyana. This is what we have been looking for for so long – signs of developent.
It was an honour and privelege to have witnessed the opening of the Takutu Bridge. The speeches by the two presidents was also an indication of a large amount of infrastructural development to be undertaken in Guyana. We heard about the paving of the GT/Lethem road, funding for a massive hydro site, investment in agriculture etc. The Brazilian president even gave a time frame for the investors to come to Guyana and meet with our officials – again an indication that this is serious business and not just complimentary mouthing.
Finally there is a feeling of economic devlopment in Guyana. Kudos to our president and our friendly Brazilian neighbours.
linden and lethem will be the largest city in guyana in the future
‘Paving of the roads in Lethem’-
In recent times Lethem was affected heavily by the floods. From looking at an airview shot of the flood – I noticed that the road leading to the airstrip/culvert city from the administration center was way under water. It basically meant that one could not reach to the airstrip/culvert city and vise versa during the floods.
I made a suggestion to the effect that that piece of road(from Admin center to the airstrip) be raised to avoid future cut-off during flooding.
My other suggestion was to build an emergency road around the airstrip.
My very technical suggestion was to build an ‘under the airstrip road’ some where where the GDF out post is.
In that picture also the Tabatinga bridge was no where to be seen. In that case I suggested a high rise bridge. Same was suggested for the upper Moco-Moco upper bridge – that leads to South Rupununi and with concrect/stell structure – not wood anymore.
Reason for reiterating this is because it is no use paving the road as they are when it is known that those low lying roads will be flooded over and over again. Also it is no use repairing the bridges without being raised above the flood waters. Lethem would still be cut off (under these situations)from the road that the Brazilians have proposed to build – and the rest of the world.
I am very disappointed that the regular complainers have not the grace to at least acknowledge progress. Wow! 2 new regional hospitals on same day! I am very happy for the residents in Linden and Lethem.
I will now wait to read FK take on this. Bet he’ll say, Oh, this is all about election campaign to fool the people.
Well, I have been critical of this government, especially when it comes to security and I am still peeved that the parking lot of the National Stadium at providence is still where it was (incomplete) at the opening of the World Cup match. Nevertheless, they have proven by far to be superior in governance to the PNC. I hope teh people of Lethem and Linden take this into consideration when election time comes around and don’t let the PNC and their race based politics fool them.
Ow budday after 17 years and they finally doing something where foreign governments have donated all the money and undertaken the work, you want me to give Jagdoe and the PPP what a cookie?
The other things like security of the nation and 3 Billion dollars in lotto funds missing and the 200 MM usd missing still have not gone away. So what you want me to be celebrating here exactly?
What is the big fundamental change that our nation has undergone here? want congrats my foot. 2 steps forward 10 steps back.
Fuh once Sam…put down de shotgun and seh something nice.
I mention the problem wid secuity and other square pegs in round holes, but there is a time fuh dis and a time fuh dat.
Saying praise once in a while will do yuh soul good na man.
Mohamed and Other bloggers, please do not respond to BS he is not worth it.
Continue to acknowledge those who are willing to do and desire the best for our country.
I dont like the PPP,but i have to be fair they did a lot in 17 yrs after taking over a bankrupted country and broken down infacture,they did well.I honestly believe they are corrupted but they still showing progress compared to the PUNISHMENT NEVER CEASED PARTY,after 28 yrs 2.1 billions in debth and only the demerara harbour bridge,linden highway and 10 multi schools to show for what a comparison,where is Torbo and others deh like he get blind all of a sudden….lol?
I am very happy to see the health sector progressing in these areas..however..Georgetown hospital is still without a CT scanner, an Ultrasound machine. This hospital receives almost all shootings, accident and other traumatic injuries. In the year 2009, proper diagnoses cannot be made by just the signs and symptoms the patient presents. It would be a benefit to the people of Guyana for the hospital to acquire modern technology and these two pieces of equipment.
Once again another good venture by the gog and the cdb, i hope the doctors when finish traing stay in guyana to serve.