
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
