Pervasive problems exist with hospital equipment

– Dr Persaud after visits to hospitals

While there have been persistent reports of drug shortages across the country, the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services has become aware of cases where medical equipment is also in short supply and defective.
In a recent interview with this publication, Chairperson of the Committee, Dr Vindhya Persaud revealed that during visits to several hospitals, the Committee encountered doctors who were so hindered in performing their duties.
She said machines required to perform essential tests were in need of servicing or repairs. Dr Persaud referenced the New Amsterdam Hospital that she visited, along with other members of the Committee, on March 2.
“There were shortages with equipment,” Dr Persaud said. “And also equipment that were in disrepair. When we were at New Amsterdam Hospital, there were a number of pieces of equipment that were down since last year.”
“One (machine) being the biochemistry analyser that is used in the lab and that equipment services the entire Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), not only the New Amsterdam Hospital. So critical lab tests to validate certain things; for instance, if someone has a heart attack you (have to) do an ECG if the machine is working. And they also had problems with those machines.”
The Opposition Member of Parliament said that doctors have complained of being at their wits’ end to treat patients to the optimum. Speaking of her visit to Diamond hospital, she said that there was a problem with the ophthalmology machine.
“They had the department; they had all the doctors, but (they) can’t do any tests; (they) have to send them out, so they sent them for private testing. So what’s the point of having all these human resource skills available and equipment is down?”
At the Georgetown Public Hospital, there were reports of deficiencies at the biomedical department. According to Dr Persaud, the equipment is sometimes not maintained and while replacements may be requested, she queried what patients may be enduring in the interim.
Meanwhile, Dr Persaud was asked about pending visits to hospitals in the interior. She stated that while the Committee was supposed to go to Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) in the third week of May, that trip has been delayed on account of expected inclement weather.
“So, we’ll be going to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) instead so that the work of the Committee continues. We should be doing a lot more, but we have to wait on Government Ministers (who are members of the Committee) and their schedules.”
During the Committee’s New Amsterdam Hospital visit, they met and interacted with Hospital officials, staff and patients in an attempt to examine the institution’s operational procedures in relation to emergency health care.
Members of the Committee who were part of this “fact-finding mission” included: Junior Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe, MP and Junior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings, MP.
Dr Persaud had explained that though hiccups were expected in any organisation, she was primarily concerned about the complaints of medication shortages and an inability to have tests done which were made by patients she met on arrival at the Hospital.
The Parliamentary Sectoral Committee also has the mandate to examine whether institutions are equipped to meet their responsibilities and make recommendations for improvements.