Govt Councillor chides poor service at Suddie Hospital

Government Councillor Naithram has spoken out about the poor service being offered at the Suddie Public Hospital, on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Speaking at the statutory meeting in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council at Anna Regina for the month of May, Councillor Naithram said he is very dissatisfied at the kind of service offered at the public medical institution. He said the Hospital serves as a “monument” instead of a medical facility.

He reflected on a recent incident where he said his wife was admitted at the hospital and was treated poorly. He said first of all, there were insufficient drugs available and before his wife was admitted in the ward of the Hospital, she was taken to the Intensive Care Unit instead.

“This is what people are facing at the Hospital… no proper service, no drugs nothing. How can they say free medical service in Guyana when people are suffering,” Naithram questioned.

The Government Councillor related that his wife was given a prescription to purchase medication at a private pharmacy. He said prior to that, his wife also complained that the doctor that was supervising the ward was under the influence and she was awoken by the stench of his alcoholic breath.

Like his wife, Naithram said many other patients are experiencing the same situations at the medical institution. He alleged that persons are falling sick instead of recovering after visiting the hospital. “The poor are suffering, the Government needs to intervene, Suddie Hospital is getting worse,” Naithram said.

During the discussion, head of the Health and Sanitation Committee and People’s Progressive Party Councillor, Arnold Adams, said recently there was a death in the Good Hope area and family members of the deceased claimed if the hospital had the necessary drugs to treat their mother, she would still be alive today.

Adams therefore called on Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence to launch an investigation into the operations at the Suddie Public Hospital, since there is an issue relating the services offered.

Most of the medical equipment is non-functional or malfunctioning and there is also the prevailing issue of a shortage of drugs.