Capacity building, infrastructure enhancement key aspects for health sector in 2012

The year 2012 was not without its challenges, but these did not deter Guyana’s Ministry of Health and its partners from carrying out their respective work programmes with zest and enthusiasm.
To support the tasks set out, Gy$16.9 B was allocated for the continued modernisation of the health sector. The Health sector receives the second highest budgetary allocation behind  education. Together these two sectors are regarded as two of the most critical pillars in the social sector.
Some of the significant achievements for the health sector in 2012 revolved around capacity building, addition of new professionals and increased outreach programmes.
Capacity building
The Health Ministry has been emphasising its thrust to ensure health care professionals upgrade their capacity within their respective disciplines, and in this regard two on-line programmes were made available by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) in which Guyanese professionals participated.
Those persons who completed the Development for the Renewal of Primary Health Care course are Tabitha Mallampati, Melissa R. Ramdeen, Lois Stephanas, Owen John and Dr. Narine Singh.
Doctors Emmanuel Cummings and Vishwa Mahadeo meanwhile completed the Leaders in International Health Programme.
Early malaria diagnosis
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) provided upgrades for 25 medical technicians in malaria microscopy; a major investment in strengthening its response to malaria diagnosis and treatment.
The training came in response to the need for early diagnosis and treatment of the mosquito-borne disease. Training technicians as microscopists enables the jump-start of a new and efficient system of diagnosing and treating persons at the GPHC Emergency Room and other health facilities in the regions.
Microscopes were taken to interior areas where mining is done and the disease is prevalent, as well as hundreds of ‘chemically treated’ bed nets were distributed in an effort to further reduce the number of cases of malaria. Additionally city areas were fogged to reduce the vector.
Orthopaedics
The fourth batch of orthopaedic students, passing with distinctions and credits, graduated from the GPHC after successfully completing an intensive one-year training programme. The course encompassed two components; one aimed at training new participants to become orthopaedic technicians while existing technicians were upgraded with orthopaedic scrub training.
The newly trained technicians will assist orthopaedic surgeons in the operating room and clinics, during ward rounds and while on-call. Technicians have also been familiarised with the instruments needed for the total knee and hip replacements among other orthopaedic surgeries.
Doctors
This year saw the return of 20 doctors, and one pharmacist from Cuba and Russia. The doctors are stationed at the GPHC and the New Amsterdam Hospital where they are receiving another round of guided training before they are dispatched into the Regions to continue their service.
This initiative is a part of the government’s larger vision to ensure Guyana has the requisite manpower to provide much needed health care services.
GPHC

Over 35,000 people were admitted to the hospital. There were more than 7,000 emergency and elective surgeries, about  5,000 babies were delivered, 70,000 emergency cases were seen and more than 220,000 accessed outpatients services.
The hospital’s hydroclave system began operating, to ensure that medical waste was properly taken care of.
Oral health
Four dental surgeons – Sulan Fung, Rehana Ali, Simone Brady and Zoe Perreira – graduated from the Dentistry programme offered at the University of Guyana, complementing the five who completed training last year.
Additionally, 10 young professionals completed the two-year certificate programme offered collaboratively between the University of Guyana and the Ministry of Health’s Dentex certificate programme.  At present over 40 young people are enrolled in the programme at the various levels.
OBS/Gynae
Over the reviewed period, the Masters in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Programme was launched at the GPHC. This contributes to safer pregnancies and deliveries, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal that addresses safe pregnancy and childbirth.
The programme began with the enrolment of six candidates, who will have an initial three year-period at GPHC before commencing their one-year residency in the administrative regions. Additionally, the neo-natal intensive care training programme also saw 11 medical support staff from GPHC and the Linden Hospital being trained in this area.
UN High Level Meeting
Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud attended a high-level meeting held at the United Nations in Washington for the Pan American Sanitary Conference at which, a new director was elected – Dr. C.F. Etienne, a Dominican national, and the current Assistant Director at the World Health Organisation (WHO) was chosen.
While in Washington, Minister Ramsaran chaired A Partners Forum for donors which contributes to the development of the new Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPA).
Minister Ramsaran is  chairman of CARPHA’s Board of Directors. The agency’s 4th meeting looked at a number of important issues regarding the establishment of CARPHA which will be located in Trinidad and Tobago.
Surgical boost
The Governments of Guyana and China’s relationship has grown from strength to strength over the years, with Guyana benefiting from the services of Chinese doctors and the provision of medical scholarships.
This partnership was strengthened with a donation of medical tools and equipment valued Gy$25M. The items include tools that will benefit general surgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, gynaecology and obstetrics, plastic surgery, and endocrinology departments.
The donation also includes an ultrasound machine for the Linden Hospital Complex, Region 10.
Outreaches
Given the commitment by Government to extend quality health care throughout Guyana, over 5,000 citizens  benefited from medical outreaches in the city wards, business entities and rural communities. At these activities services were provided in eye care, VIA screening and treatment, dental care, TB sensitisation/educational sessions, voluntary counselling and testing, and blood donation.
Linden hospital
A new 12-man governing board for the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) was installed comprising members from specific skills industries and with specific expertise. They are from Bosai, the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC), the Linden Chambers of Commerce and the Linmine Power and Light among others.
The expectation is that the hospital, through the board, will be able to draw from the best practices employed in these agencies and, that the board will offer the kind of support that will allow the internal management to utilise their energies  best fitting their roles and responsibilities.
Other institutions
The numerous other  health institutions continued to serve Guyanese well during the year.  The Suddie, Leonora,and the Mahaicony Diagnostic centres, and the Diamond, East Bank  hospital were of great service to the population in the regions in which they are located. Free eye surgeries were afforded to thousands of people, mainly senior citizens at the state-of-the-art Ophthalmology hospital in Port Mourant, Region Six.
In the outlying regions, the Bartica, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, Mahdia, Lethem and Kumaka hospitals, along with numerous health centres, huts and posts provided for the needs of hinterland residents. Serious cases were airlifted to GPHC for treatment.