Junior Public Health Minister Dr Karen Cummings has revealed that the Health Ministry’s Hospital Upgrade project is now 75 per cent completed, as efforts intensify to instil public confidence in the healthcare facilities.
According to Dr Cummings, the ministry embarked on the project after realising that the City hospital was under tremendous pressure to facilitate patients from all parts of the country: “We want the people to have confidence in us so we opted to strengthening our systems and so far we are on target.”
She explained too that Regional hospitals are being brought up to par with the Georgetown Public Hospital since they are being given the required resources and equipment.
Last year, Public Health Minister Dr George Norton had announced that the Suddie Hospital in Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam), Bartica Hospital in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and the West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) were earmarked for upgrades. The upgrade is being funded by the Indian Government through the Modernisation of Primary Healthcare System project. In addition to the rehabilitation of the hospitals, the grant also covers the provision of medical equipment.
Alluding to the details of the works to be carried out, Dr Cummings said the upgrade includes improving theatres, construction of theatres in cases where there are not any, modernising medical equipment, and procuring beds. She revealed that the ministry has already distributed several beds to the Maternity Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital, to cater for the influx of pregnant mothers.
A few months ago, a mother who had just delivered her baby was found lying under a bed with the infant, as there were no available beds for her to sleep on. There have been numerous alarming complaints that mothers would have to “double up” on beds in the maternity unit of the hospital.
Dr Cummings noted that these issues are being addressed, and assured that the upgrade process will be completed within the next two months: “There will be improvement. We are dedicated to it.”
