Hospital supplies now between 82 and 99%, was less than 35% in 2020 – Health Ministry

…shortage of nurses at Skeldon Hospital being addressed

The Health Ministry on Saturday reported that all hospitals across the country have an availability of medications and supplies that range between 82 percent in the case of Pakera Hospital at Mattew’s Ridge to 99 percent at the Mahdia Hospital.
This is a significant improvement from when the PPP/C Administration took office, reflected in the alarmingly low numbers just three years ago.
“While we have to strive for 100 percent every time, the situation has improved dramatically from August 2020 when the hospital maintained an availability rate of less than 35 percent,” a statement from the Ministry outlined.
Shortly after Government assumed office, hundreds of truckloads of expired medication had to be dumped from the Materials Management Unit (MMU) – the central storage bond of the Health Ministry due to poor management under the former APNU/AFC coalition.
In fact, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony had said the Administration inherited a “crisis” in relation to the quantity of expired medication being stored at MMU. From 2015 to 2021, the Health Ministry had to dump over $10 billion worth of expired drugs and materials.
Meanwhile, for the Skeldon Hospital in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), in terms of medication and medical supplies, the reporting and monitoring show that the hospital maintains an availability rate of between 85 and 95 percent.
In the case of the staffing at the facility, the Regional Health Department and the Ministry have been on record admitting that staff improvement is a priority for this hospital.
In August 2020, the Skeldon Hospital had three doctors assigned, covering the hospital and nine health centres, including Orealla and Siparuta. There are presently seven doctors assigned to the Skeldon Hospital.
The improvement in staffing has resulted in an increase in patient load from 17,800 in 2020 to 29,000 in 2022 with estimates surpassing 30,000 in 2023. The ER department is estimated to see more than 12,000 in 2023 – the highest number ever.

“From zero ultrasound in 2020, the hospital can now perform almost 3000 ultrasound per year. From less than 100,000 prescription filled in 2020, the hospital filled almost 116,000 prescriptions in 2022.”
While it is no secret that Skeldon Hospital is affected by the overall nursing shortage in Guyana, the Ministry said it is presently addressing this matter to raise the complement from the current 25. This matter is compounded by the scourge of no-notice absenteeism.

Complaints
According to the Health Ministry, the sector’s performance has drastically improved over the last three years as it rejected the notion in sections of the media of a deteriorated healthcare system.
“While the Ministry of Health firmly stands behind this statement, we concede that there are some areas of concern that still plague the sector and the Ministry is making earnest efforts to address these concerns.”
One of the repeated statements made is that whenever complaints are made about alleged poor and inappropriate treatment in public sector hospitals, the Ministry or other relevant health authorities completely ignore these complaints and repeatedly fail to respond.
However, the Ministry contended, “This is not accurate…In every instance, the MOH and/or other relevant public health sector authorities investigate the cases. As far as possible, findings are made known to the public. Every case is investigated.” (G12)