Govt incorporating more technology in health, education services – Pres Ali

– says work ongoing to introduce electronic health card

With its relatively small population, Guyana will have to come up with creative ways to optimise the delivery of service to its citizens. And according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, one such way will be through using technology.
During an address to those gathered for the signing of the historic carbon credit agreement with Hess on Friday, President Ali spoke of the steps the Government is taking to digitise and encourage more technology. He made mention of a patient care e-card, which would store key medical data and medication history.

“We’re a small society. We’re already facing the constraints of a small labour force. As a result of this, our system must be strengthened. We must move to a more electronic, technological platform, to support the requirement and needs for the growth and development of Guyana,” President Ali said.
“In doing so, we’re advancing work on using technology as a primary enabler in the delivery of education, and health services, moving on a platform that will see Guyanese having access to an electronic card that will support patient care management information systems, that will hold key data for every citizen, that will be closely integrated with all the institutional framework of our country.”
Only in July of this year, the Guyana Government signed a historic partnership deal with New York-based Mount Sinai Health System and Hess Corporation to transform local healthcare into a world-class service that will not only ensure accessibility and affordability for Guyanese citizens but also the Caribbean Region.
Under this agreement, President Ali rolled out the National Health Care Initiative – a three-component plan that focuses on enhancing the country’s primary healthcare services, improving patient care and management at the Georgetown Public Hospital and developing specialised services in cardiology and oncology with the private sector. This includes the establishment of two centres of excellence – a cardiovascular centre and an oncology centre.

The Head of State has already charged the private sector in the local medical field to step up and tap into the opportunities that this project will make available. This National Health Care Initiative is being funded jointly by Guyana and Hess Corporation, which has injected some US$32 million into the project.
Meanwhile, in addition to receiving help from Mount Sinai through this, Government was also able to secure a facility for all Guyanese requiring specialised medical treatment to get a 30 per cent discount once the Health Ministry approves a referral to the NY-based medical institution.
And as the Guyana Government works to enhance the local healthcare system, President Ali has also reassured workers in this field that better working environments and living conditions are coming in the future.
The Head of State made this pledge while delivering the feature address at the sod-turning ceremony of the country’s first Specialised Paediatric and Maternal Hospital at Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, a few months ago.
President Ali had pointed out that tilling the soil and constructing the buildings is just one component of the transformation that the Government is undertaking in the health sector. He had explained that the other component, which is the hardest part, is making the system work. This, he noted, requires human resources so that the system can be in top shape.