Wismar Hospital staff express concerns over facility being used for COVID-19 isolation cases

Just days after a Lindener who was tested positive for COVID-19 was medevaced from the Mackenzie Hospital to Georgetown Public Hospital, medical authorities in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), have enhanced their contingency plan to aggressively address COVID-19. A decision has been taken to have all patients in isolation stay at the Wismar Hospital. However, with this decision, some nurses and personnel at the hospital expressed some concerns, which they communicated through their Medical Superintendent, Dr Steve Mark.

In a press release to the media from the Public Relations Department of the Region 10 administration, it was stated that after a discussion with a team of medical officials from the Public Health Ministry, Dr Mark has endorsed the efforts to have an isolation facility in the region.
He disclosed that the idea, which was first mooted by the visiting team and endorsed by Medical Superintendent of Mackenzie Hospital and Regional Health Officer, Dr Pansy Armstrong saw him having some reservations.
This, he explained, was because of experience more directly related to the stigma that the hospital suffered during Guyana’s peak of HIV cases. He, however, admitted that unlike then when the entire hospital was used for HIV-related matters and services, he feels very comfortable with the approach currently being taken.
He said that with the hospital still being able to provide some of its services that it has been offering over the years and recognising that the fight against COVID-19 requires a united and concentrated approach, he stands firmly behind the decision.
“I did have my reservations as some of the nurses did express concerns but listening to the team from Georgetown and my colleagues in the RHO and Dr London explaining what will take place and how we will execute this has caused me to realise that it is the best plan for the situation,” he said.
“To ensure that we remain successful, this requires the support and involvement of everyone. We would address whatever concerns and issues along the way, but with regards to the selection of a location and the areas that were identified within the hospital, I foresee no challenges to what we have been doing…frankly, there must be an area that patients can be isolated who would have come into contact with the disease, and this is certainly the best place,” he said.
He added that the nurses between both hospitals usually rotate every six months but disclosed that based on consultations with the two MS, she would be ensuring that rotation is taking place every three months instead of the original six months.