Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, on Tuesday announced that the government is looking at a design for the construction of a brand new hospital in Skeldon, Upper Corentyne, Berbice.
He made the announcement at the opening of the newly renovated male ward at the current Skeldon Hospital.
At the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Dharamlall said that the government is working to improve the healthcare system throughout Guyana, while noting that there are some 30 health facilities in the region. “All of these I can assure you will be looked at from the level of the region and from the level of the central government. The level of service will have to be improved,” he assured.
In this regard, Dharamlall disclosed that there is a design being pursued for the construction of a new hospital at Skeldon, “a hospital that is much different from what it is here currently. It is our intention to get that design done before long and earmark resources for an enhanced hospital with enhanced services.”
He pointed out that some of the services offered at other hospitals within Region Six are not being offered at the Skeldon Hospital, something which is expected to change when the new hospital comes into operation. “We are living in a modern era and we believe that as government when someone comes to a facility they must get all the services that any other facilities offer.”
Meanwhile, the male ward at the hospital was rehabilitated to the tune of $10,342,943 and is expected to benefit the residents of Skeldon and environs.
Dharamlall said: “Today’s investment where the male ward has been rehabilitated is a signal to the people of Skeldon and to the extended areas, the catchment area that this hospital is a part of, that we are serious about improving our services and we are serious about making sure that everyone gets an opportunity when they come here to be looked at.”
Dharamlall added that he has been informed that there are three doctors attached to the health facility while every day almost 100 persons visit for medical assistance. “It is one of the things that we will have to look at… get more clinical services being offered at the hospital as well as professional services.”
He acknowledged that one of the main challenges they are experiencing is the “overall management of the health services.”
The minister noted that for too long persons visit hospitals, meet with doctors and then leave without the necessary medications. Stressing that there is no shortage of drugs and medical supplies at the procurement level, he added, “Our government has spent billions of dollars in the last ten months to procure adequate drugs and medical supplies for all the health facilities of Region Six as we have done for all other nine regions including the main hospital, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.”
According to him, ideally they want to see health facilities requesting drugs and medical supplies from the Materials Management Unit and “ensure that they get into our facilities on time.”
Dharamlall then opined, that “the health directorate of the regions are not putting the effort behind ensuring that every facility has optimum supply whether essential or non-essential drugs and medical supplies at all times, and I want to make it clear to Skeldon Hospital that it is something we are looking at as we are going to be looking across the other regions.”
Also speaking at the opening was Dr Bob Ramnauth, recently appointed CEO of the New Amsterdam Public Hospital with oversight for the Skeldon Public Hospital. He stated that a rapid assessment was carried out a few months ago on health care in Region Six during which a number of issues were identified at the Skeldon Public Hospital
President Irfaan Ali had ordered Dharamlall and a team to carry out an investigation after residents at several meetings had raised numerous issues relating to the delivery of health care in Region Six.
According to Dr Ramnauth, some of the issues were related to equipment, infrastructure, personnel and services, and miscellaneous.
Ramnauth noted that recommendations were made, some of which were implemented immediately while others are expected to be implemented in the medium and long term.
He pointed out that two of the recommendations were the rehabilitation of the male ward and the acquisition of three transformers to improve the power supply at the health facility. “Those transformers were purchased and they are scheduled to be installed next Tuesday.”
Another recommendation which he said would be carried out as a medium term intervention is the construction of a minor operating theatre, adding that the site at the Skeldon Hospital has already been identified.
Meanwhile, he reminded that the long term recommendation includes the construction of a new Skeldon Hospital, and that suitable land has since been identified at the back of the present hospital.
