Training for RHO to improve health-care delivery in regions
To ensure the effective management of the health sector at the regional level, it is imperative that relevant personnel oversee the functions and duties of health-care providers in regions across Guyana. This realisation came at the conclusion of the Regional Health Officers (RHO’s) two-day capacity building exercise hosted at Mainstay Resort, Essequibo.
RHOs were equipped in the preparation of detailed financial budgets to cater for the provision of the region’s specific needs; the RHOs will now be able to prioritise needs in the health sector.
Arising from the meeting was the need to train regional staff on health financing and budgeting, financial management, medical supplies and equipment procurement and understanding laws governing the health sector.
Regional Health Officer, Region Five, Dr Steven Chefoon noted that it is important to educate staff as it was observed that during preparations for this year’s budget, persons were submitting lists without any justification.
Region Five Regional Health Officer, Dr Steve Chefoon
“Having all these health workers trained in the consumption and distribution process it takes the timeline of about a year. Bartica is not only the central area. There should be a hub in Bartica and in Kamarang so when we talk about training we talking about two or three different areas of training,” Administrator for the Bartica Regional Hospital, Merlene Ferrier stressed, as she echoed Steven’s position.
Over the years, critical materials requested by the Regional Health Officers have not been given priority owing to no indications of its utilisation in the region, which sees the omission of these items in the region’s general budget.
As such, Dr Chefoon indicated his plans to engage the Health Ministry to have a training session done with the regional Councillors of the RDC.
“They don’t understand budget and they tend to take things out from the budget that are actually needed in the region,” he stated.
In addition other areas identified for capacity building are the Integrated Health Systems Delivery and Health Governance and Policy to improve effective health care delivery in mostly remote regions.
