Local hospitals get $55M boost from Chinese Medical Brigade
The 13th Chinese Medical Brigade has donated to the Ministry of Public Health (MPH) a quantity of medical equipment and supplies valued at over million, specifically for use at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC).
Some of the equipment handed over for use at the two hospitals
At a simple handing over ceremony at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Friday, Head of the Chinese Medical Brigade, Dr Lui Yi, said the team of 16 doctors would be in Guyana for one year, and the donation is a part of its regular gift to the Government.
He noted that the brigade has 11 doctors stationed at the GPHC, while the remaining five are at the Linden Hospital Complex. Apart from working at the hospitals, the team is aiming to host medical outreaches in remote villages to provide health care in hard-to-reach places.
Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, ret’d Brigadier George Lewis, underscored the importance of the timely donation and lauded the Chinese Government for its contribution to the local health sector.
He noted that Guyana and China began health cooperation in 1993, when the first batch of doctors came to Guyana.
“The equipment donated will be distributed between Georgetown, the Linden Hospital… We at the Georgetown Hospital are extremely grateful for the contribution of the Chinese Medical Brigade, and we hope it continues to last,” he said.
Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, who attended the simple ceremony, noted that the larger portion of the donation would go to the GPHC to aid in bridging gaps in the health care system. She noted that apart from collaboration resulting in physical results, the two Governments have also been collaborating in the education sector.
“We also have very good exchange in terms of education. We have been able to benefit through scholarships and through exchange visits by several staff in the Ministry of Public Health, to visit with your hospitals across China so that they can become more aware and have a more hands-on insight into where the medical services are at your level,” Lawrence stated.
Economic and Commercial Consul at the Chinese Embassy, Shen Huiyong, said the Chinese Government is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate in the various sectors. He noted that his Government recently sent an expert team to assist Guyana’s disease control unit with the hope of further establishing cooperation in that field.
“Every year the Chinese Government donates equipment to the hospitals in Guyana; and they also provide opportunities for training, which is funded by the Chinese Government,” Huiyong noted.
A team of Chinese engineers would be in Guyana for two weeks, to assemble the equipment and train staffers in their utilization. Among the equipment donated are electro surgical pencils, examination lights, ophthalmoscopes, patient monitors, slit lamps and syringe pumps, among other things.
