Delivery of health services is poor in Region 6

Dear Editor,
I would like to bring to the attention of the subject Public Health Minister of services, some cases in less than a few days, which are the actual reflections of the health system in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
I was approach by an individual from New Amsterdam a few days ago and he said on February 18, 2018, he visit the New Amsterdam Hospital emergency section with serious abdominal aches. The doctor on duty prescribed two Hytorix injections – that were not available at the hospital – and as such, had to be purchased at a local pharmacy. After the person purchased the Hytorix, he was told to return the next day for an ultra sound. Unfortunately, when he returned the next day, he was told that he had to wait until March 12. The person was forced to paid $6000 privately to receive this service. He was then diagnosed with kidney stones and was treated for the ailment privately with a sum attach. The patient’s medical condition was diagnosed and solved – and today [Sunday] is only the February 25.
This incident in question is the actually everyday situation of the health system in Region Six. Another recent incident is a 13-year-old who was in an accident since January 1, 2018, and is still waiting on a date to correct his dislocated shoulder. The reason for not going to a private hospital was because his family does not have the resource to do so .The young man is not presently going to school and is awaiting surgery. Millions in taxpayers’ money is being spent and the health system continues to deteriorate rapidly. Let me congratulate these young men who have come forward and who have exposed the deficiencies in the public health sector. The national ophthalmology hospital is not functioning; to date, it cannot perform a single cataract surgery and Government is not making any attempt to fix it.
What is more worrying is when these issues are raised, the excuses are so many that we remain the same way and the people continue to suffer.
The excuses for not having drugs at all Government hospitals is that the Materials Management Unit (MMU) is only supplying essential drugs and when a drug is short, irrespective of what drug it is, it is not an essential drug. We are demanding the Public health Minister make the list of essential drugs public so that residents could be aware of the drugs available and what should be purchased. It must be concluded that health care services are not free anymore for residents while Ministers are being given foreign insurances to look after their health.
It is time to hold these Government officials responsible for mismanagement of taxpayers’ money.

Respectfully,
Zamal Hussain
Regional Councillor
Region Six
Chairman of the Regional Health Committee