Guyana’s health sector suffering from gross incompetence, mismanagement

Dear Editor,
The Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings, and the Director of Clinical Health, Dr Shako, recently visited Region Six to do an analysis of the health sector.
I assume they visited most of the hospitals and health centres in the region, because they reported that the sector has seen a lot of positives since the APNU+AFC Coalition Government took office in 2015.
The minister and public officials of the Granger Administration continue to disregard the truth: that the health sector is really in a critical state, and is suffering from incompetence, mismanagement, corruption, and is failing miserably to improve services to assist hundreds of thousands of vulnerable Guyanese who are depending on this important, life-saving service.
At the meeting with Minister Dr Cummings, we were told that the National Ophthalmology Hospital will commence cataract surgeries in the next three months. This was shocking, since the senior Minister of Public Health, the Director of Health Services, and the Department of Public Information had publicly informed the Guyanese people that the National Ophthalmology Hospital was presently doing laser cataract surgeries.
In summary, there are difficulties in comprehending who is actually speaking the truth and who is lying. As I was identifying the issues in the health sector in Region Six, the minister abruptly informed me that she was busy, she had to visit two hospitals before leaving for Georgetown, and was unable to listen to the cries of the people.
This is the level of arrogance that was shown by the minister, and this Granger Administration is preaching about cohesion and inclusive government.
Before May 2015, most of the drugs and medical supplies for cataract surgeries were purchased from prequalified companies, but because of the vindictive attitude of this Government, the Ministry of Public Health is refusing to purchase from those companies, and as such, thousands of vulnerable Guyanese awaiting cataract surgery and availability of other drugs are getting blind and dying.
If there is an availability of the necessary drugs and medical supplies, cataract surgeries can be done at the New Amsterdam Hospital, and prevent a huge backlog and even stopping people from getting blind. The APNU+AFC Coalition Government should stop political victimisation of this supplier, and purchase the necessary drugs and medical supplies immediately.
Another promise made by Minister Dr Cummings is that 24-hour pharmacy would be at the New Amsterdam Hospital; but there is only one pharmacist in Region Six, who is near retirement, and there are limited amounts of drugs for the entire Region Six.
Before I conclude, let me extend my sincere condolences to the family of young Beyonce Ross, who is a victim of the gross incompetence in the healthcare systems of Guyana. President Granger, at Guyana’s 52nd Independence Anniversary, was showcasing youths, yet denied a teenager the right to access proper health care. Many ministers went to have publicity with Beyonce Ross, but failed miserable to resolve the problem.
The cost for all those ministers and public officials who visited her might have covered the expenses for Beyonce Ross’s medical bills overseas. Numerous Guyanese are identifying their medical issues, but are unable to fix them; and as such, this is causing them to die a slow death.
The reality is that this APNU+AFC Coalition Government only makes provision for its members to enjoy the good life, and behave like “carrion crows” and “vampires on the taxpayers of Guyana.
Regards.
Zamal Hussain
Chairman
Regional Health Committee
Region Six