Millions of dollars in supplies have been procured for the 29 health centres and five hospitals in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) in addition to the $14 million that has been injected to improve the delivery of health services in the region.
The region has budged $35 million to be spent on health this year and as such, several beds, freezers, refrigerators, ironing boards, workstations, chairs, washing machines, and personal items were included in the list of supplies to be purchased.
The new treadmill for the physiotherapy department at the NA Hospital
Director of Regional Health Services, Jevaughn Stephen explained that the money will be spent in three phases.
“In our second stage of procurement, we will look at more of the medical equipment. We will ensure that we liaison with standard and technical support and the Public Health Ministry to ensure that we have uniformity in the medical equipment that we will be purchasing. Items such as biochemistry analysers, anaesthetics machines…”
A digital X-ray machine will also be purchased for the New Amsterdam Hospital during the second phase of procurement which will also see two state-of-the-art theatre beds being purchased for the New Amsterdam Hospital.
Meanwhile, among the items handed over to the health department on Friday were nine beds which will be used in the newly-constructed doctors on call facility.
According to Stephen, all the amenities to make the doctors who will be on call, comfortable have been purchased.
Some of the supplies handed over to the Health Centres and hospitals
“Doctors being on call are something mandatory by the Ministry of Public Health but we want to have the facility that is up to standard so that when they are on call they can be relaxing somewhere in comfort. So that building has nine bedrooms and we are furnishing them with the necessary beds, cupboards etc. There is a living room and we are putting in some sofa sets so that doctors can be very comfortable.”
The Director said if the doctors are comfortable, then maximum can be demanded out of them. The lack of adequate storage facilities at the New Amsterdam Hospital in the past has created presumed shortages.
Stephen said the three freezers are expected to address that issue adequately. Speaking at Friday’s presentation ceremony, Regional Health Committee member Philip Rose said he wishes to see the continued development in the health sector.
Regional Executive Officer Kim Stephens said the administration is hoping that the supplies will aid in providing essential health services.
