Region 10 to benefit from improved healthcare services

As the Ministry of Health continues to expand and improve healthcare services across the country, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of location, has access to essential medical care, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has been in focus for the ministry’s drive over the past week.

Cancer screening expands to LHC
When Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony commissioned a state-of-the-art mammogram machine at the Linden Hospital Complex(LHC) earlier this week, it marked a significant step in expanding breast cancer screening services across Guyana. Dr Anthony noted at the event that the Health Ministry has, over the years, spoken about the need for a structured cancer program, and by placing mammography machines in every region, cancer screening is made easier for individuals to access.

With the addition of the machine, residents of Region 10 and its environs now have improved access to early breast cancer detection, reducing their need to travel to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), previously the only public health facility offering mammography services.
The minister also pointed out that Government is committed to providing early detection and timely diagnosis and treatment as a means to improving cancer care.
“If we are going to improve survivability, we must ensure early detection and swift intervention,” he said. “In the past, patients had to wait (for) more than a month for biopsy results. Today that time-frame has been reduced to just three to seven days,” he added.
The Health Minister has said that Linden Hospital Complex is the first of four locations earmarked to receive a mammogram machine, additional units are to be commissioned in the coming months.

Enhanced healthcare delivery
The Ministry of Health has officially commissioned the newly-established Muritaro Health Post on Tuesday.
Valued at $23.7 million, this modern health facility is set to serve approximately 400 residents, bringing essential healthcare services closer to the community and reducing the need for long-distance travel to larger medical facilities, a release from the Department of Public Information (DPI) has noted.
Residents would benefit from a wide range of free healthcare services, including maternal and child health, chronic disease management, family planning services, vaccination programmes, school and adolescent health services and general outpatient care, the release detailed.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony emphasised the Government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare services across all regions.
“We are trying to ensure that in every one of our communities, a health post or health centre is established to provide quality health services to residents”, he detailed.

Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Gregory Harris, in extending gratitude to Government for the investment and efforts to improve healthcare in the Region, has encouraged members of the community to take advantage of the services offered. The new facility, he said, would greatly benefit the people of Muritaro.
The Muritaro Health Post is fully equipped and staffed with trained healthcare professionals, ensuring that all residents, especially vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women and the elderly, receive continuous quality medical care.
Also present at this event were Toshao Owen Bowling, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dwight John, and other officials.
Minister Dr Anthony has highlighted, that under the PPPC Government, 25 new health centres have been established across various Regions to meet the health needs of communities; and
disclosed that hospital services across the country would be improved with six new, state-of-the-art facilities being opened later this year.

Blueberry Hill Health Centre
The Blueberry Hill Health Centre, a state-of-the-art facility in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) that has been opened by the Health Minister on Tuesday, is expected to provide expanded medical services to residents of Blueberry Hill and surrounding communities. Valued at approximately $28.3 million, the centre would ensure quality, accessible and free healthcare for all.
It is fully equipped to offer a wide range of primary healthcare services, including maternal and child health, chronic disease management, immunisation and vaccination programmes, family planning and reproductive health, environmental health, and general outpatient services, among other services.
According to a DPI news release, while delivering remarks, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony expressed that the opening of this health centre represents Government’s dedication to improving healthcare access, reducing the burden on regional hospitals and ensuring that residents receive timely and efficient medical care.