Councillor bemoan state of Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital

… as staff continue to work under deplorable conditions

There has been a significant decline of healthcare delivery services in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), especially in the rural areas and those residents living in the Charity and Pomeroon area have to travel long distances to access essential healthcare services, particularly specialist services.

As such, Chairman of the Health and Sanitation Committee and People’s Progressive Party Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Councillor, Arnold Adams, said due to the distance and lack of essential services at the Hospital, there is a significant burden on residents in terms of time and money.

Adams in an interview with Guyana Times said pregnant mothers as well as the elderly with chronic diseases are predominately affected since they are often forced to venture to the Suddie Public Hospital to access services. Currently, the hospital at Charity is in a deplorable condition and medical professionals are often forced to work in these conditions, thus exposing themselves to illness.

According to Adams, he is dissatisfied with the current situation and continues to advocate for a total transformation at the facility. Adams said he recently visited the institution and several departments were malfunctioning.

Some of the issues at the Hospital include the lack of a refrigerator to store vaccines, malfunctioning of air conditioning units, shortage of drugs, malfunctioning toilet facilities, lack of security guards, bat and termite infestations, the need for a water filtration system to be installed, several plumbing works to be fixed, laundry department’s lack of servicing, faulty doors, removal of the present kitchen, the need for additional staff and rehabilitation of the mortuary.

Adams said all the issues were reported to the Regional Executive Officer, Rupert Hopkinson in writing by the Assistant Hospital Administrator at Charity Hospital, Omkar Persaud, and those letters were futile as the situation remain the same and residents are suffering.

The Councillor said staff at the institution are forced to use alternative ways to close doors due to lack of door locks. He said the flooring for the health centre as well as the walls are in a sloppy state.

“The situation at Charity is getting worse, a lot of persons depend on the services, they travel from the Pomeroon just to be able to see a doctor and the place in a terrible condition, nurses and doctors have to work in a building that is inconducive, most department have faulty works, something need to be done the people are suffering.” Adams said a team of RDC Councillors as well as Regional Health Officer Afarah Khan and other officials recently visited the facility and inspections were done in all departments. He therefore commits to do meaningful follow-ups at both the Ministry and RDC level. The dental department as well as the mortuary at the hospital are closed. (Indrawattie Natram)