The Health Ministry is working on the creation of a National Health Facilities Management Unit which will conduct visits to the health facilities to ensure they are functioning effectively. This was announced by Minister within the Health Ministry, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, during the recently-concluded meeting of regional health officers.
Ramsaran said engineers have already been recruited for the unit. The ministry’s Regional Health Services (RHS) unit on September 5 and 6 hosted a two-day meeting with the RHOs, at the Grand Coastal Inn, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara.
The biannual meeting appraises the progress made in all 10 administrative regions. Participants presented reports based on their work plans for the period January to June. While interacting with the officers, Ramsaran emphasised that the government has been making huge investments in health care; however, there is need for effective management of both infrastructure and human resources.
He acknowledged that, in light of the challenges, there has been a massive quantum leap in budgetary allocations, trained personnel, and the reach of health care. However, these need to be managed efficiently.
He spoke of the specialty hospital which is expected to attract persons from overseas for surgeries, and will also function as a training centre that will produce a cadre of Guyanese specialists. RHS Director Dr Narine Singh noted that from the RHOs’ presentations over the last six months, there have been significant successes in the health sector, despite challenges.
He acknowledged that while there has been an influx of doctors, there is still a shortage of human resources, especially technical staff and nurses. Another challenge that affects the delivery of healthcare in the regions is transportation.
Singh indicated with satisfaction that most of the capital works have been completed or are nearing completion, and it is anticipated that by the end of the year all of the capital works will be achieved.
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