Region 8 to get 4 new telemedicine sites – Dr Anthony

Healthcare delivery to residents of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) will be enhanced significantly with the establishment of four new telemedicine sites. Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony made this announcement during a recent visit to the region.

Through this technology, when guidance is needed, medical professionals in the hinterland can connect to those on the coastland or to the nearest regional hospital and get real-time assistance.
“The healthcare worker at a remote centre would have a computer which is connected to the internet via satellite technology, and they can easily, if they have a patient, call up someone in Georgetown or the nearest regional hospital and get guidance. We intend to have these sites operational within the next two months, so that’s what we are currently working on,” Minister Anthony shared.
Government has set aside some $1.8 billion to implement the telemedicine programme in remote communities. The National Telemedicine Programme was launched as a pilot project in 2022 in Masakenari, ‘Gunns Village’. Currently, the telemedicine programme is also present in three other Region Nine communities – Nappi, Yupukari, and Parikawarinau.
The telemedicine centres in these villages have been equipped with the requisite technological devices which give Community Health Workers (CHWs) 24-hour access to medical specialists at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC). These devices include a digital stethoscope, pulse oximeter, infrared thermometer, blood pressure monitor, mobile ultrasound, and examination cameras.
“Since we have implemented this system there, we saved quite a number of lives, because we were able to review patients in real-time and the doctors then made a decision that some of these patients needed to get out to Georgetown. We organised a medical evac to make sure that they get to Georgetown on time. This is how technology is going to help us,” Dr Anthony underscored.
However, more importantly, Dr Anthony explained, is that the sites should also have adequate medicines to administer to patients. “That is so important. While we are buying lots of medication and we have them at the management unit in Georgetown, what we have to ensure is that these things get out to all of the regions in a very timely manner, so that there wouldn’t be shortages.”
The Minister was keen to note that there is already a difference in the quality of healthcare in the hinterland communities. He shared, “You would see the quality of healthcare in the hinterland being transformed. And already, what it was like three years ago, you can see that difference in the investments that we’re making, not just from the Government, but also with partners like the UK, PAHO and others, who have been helping us to do this.”