Gov’t seeking to have 24-hr health service on East Coast – Cummings

The government is seeking to decentralize primary health care as moves are afoot to have 24-hour health service on the East Coast, according to Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings.

Dr Cummings in brief comments on Sunday said that she recently visited the CC Nicholson Hospital in Nabaclis and the Buxton Health Centre where some shortcomings were identified.

Dr Cummings said the mechanics are now being fine-tuned but that she is awaiting a report from Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Michael Khan who was on the visit with her. Since Khan is the CEO of Guyana’s premier public health institution he would be able to identify what is needed at the hospital and the health centre to improve on the services.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings (left) in discussion with a resident of Buxton during a visit to the village’s health centre (GINA photo)
Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings (left) in discussion with a resident of Buxton during a visit to the village’s health centre (GINA photo)

The minister said that is envisioned that the Buxton Health Centre would become a polyclinic and provide a variety of services so as to ease the burden on the GPHC. She pointed out that the X-ray department at the GPHC is overburdened and that services such as this should be provided at other facilities. At the moment, the CC Nicholson Hospital closes at 5 pm.

GINA in a report on the meeting said that among issues raised at the CC Nicholson Hospital were the need for better security, lighting systems and water supply. Some staff also asked for the addition of a basic laboratory and a phlebotomist.

According to Cummings, the facility is adequately staffed to provide the services it now offers. There are nine doctors, four nurse assistants, and three midwives among others. GINA said that the minister promised to address within a short time, the security and lighting at the hospital.

Following the visit to the Buxton Health Centre, GINA reported the minister as saying: “As you see here, there is a lot of space and we are hoping that services that cannot be rendered at the Dr. CC Nicholson Hospital, will be rendered here. We are thinking of having a VIA (Visual Inspection using Acetic acid) clinic here, rehabilitation services, we want to be able to do ultrasounds here, we want to put a lab here among other things.” These services should be implemented by January 2016, according to Dr Cummings.