The National Psychiatric Hospital has received 100 beds with mattresses from the Food For The Poor (FFTP), in fulfilment of a promise that was made in May.
Representatives of FFTP Inc met with the Health Ministry in May, and a request was made for the organisation to visit the National Psychiatric Hospital.
The team visited, and the institution’s needs were raised. The FFTP had assured of its commitment to working with the institution to ensure that the essential needs of the hospital, patients, and staff were met. One of the major needs of the Psychiatric Hospital was specialised beds suitable for the institution.
As such, 100 beds and 100 mattresses, along with other items, were handed over to Regional Health Officer for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Dr Vishalya Sharma, who expressed sincere gratitude to FFTP (Guy) Inc for fulfilling its commitment.
Region Six Health Officer, Dr Vishalya Sharma receiving the donation from Food For The Poor
She further stated that the Psychiatric Hospital would be the primary focus of the donation, but the other hospitals and regional centres would benefit from this valuable donation. FFTP (Guy) Inc said it continued to be committed to the health sector and the citizens of Guyana.
Last June, there was a fire at the New Amsterdam, Region Six facility during which some patients were injured and others escaped. The escaped patients were later returned.
Two months after that, a similar fire broke out, destroying an 18-bed ward. Then in November, quick action by staff of the Hospital averted disaster after a patient set fire to a section of the medical facility’s Male Admission Ward. The patient had lit the vinyl (vinolay) covering one of the tables in the ward.
Pegged at $26 million, works are ongoing to restore the 18-bed ward that was earlier destroyed and effect other needed repairs. (G12)
