Doctors appointed to Leguan Cottage Hospital

Following complaints

Days after the publication of an article by Guyana Times about the absence of medical professionals on the island of Leguan, the Public Health Ministry on Friday announced that two doctors were appointed to serve the community.
During a visit by this publication to this island last weekend, residents complained bitterly about the need for medical professionals in the community.
On Friday, Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings, informed this publication that two doctors were appoint at the Leguan Cottage Hospital.
“I managed to find out that at Leguan, there are two doctors there; Dr Ricola Cummings and Dr Perry and they’ve gone there this week, so they’ve been placed there.”
It was related that while this problem was resolved, a meeting was facilitated on Thursday where the Regional Health Officers (RHO) were engaged on matters surrounding the functioning of the various hospitals in that region.
“I just came back from a meeting in Essequibo where we’re introspecting to see where our gaps are, what problems we have and how we’re going to solve them. So each Regional Health Officer is presenting their achievements and challenges and solutions,” Minister Cummings stated.
She noted that in the coming days, information pertaining to these discussions and other areas of the healthcare systems will be disclosed.
“What I know for sure is that we’re working assiduously to ensure that we deliver quality and effective care to the residents of Leguan.”
During the visit by Guyana Times to the island, it was revealed that the major issue being faced when accessing healthcare services was the lack of medical personnel at the island’s medical facility. However, for specialisd treatment, residents would have to cross the Essequibo River and travel almost an hour to reach the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH).
Another issue raised by the residents was the absence of the X-ray facility despite a building being constructed and an X-ray machine procured. The X-ray department at the hospital was expected to be fully functional before the end of 2017, but this is yet to become a reality.