Several Cuban healthcare providers have joined the staff at Mahaicony Diagnostic Centre to boost services and strengthen the current workforce.

The group of 26 healthcare workers joins a smaller contingent of Cuban doctors who were already based at the centre; Dr. Orlando Jimenz, a Cuban, is currently the Director of the institution.

Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran recently toured the facility during a Cabinet outreach in Region Five. He inspected several departments and spoke with the staff about their concerns, in addition to making a few suggestions of how to improve the institution.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported that Ramsaran commended the staff at the hospital pharmacy for their organized storage of the medication, but that Jimenz indicated there are times when the facility experiences a shortage in medication due to late delivery and close expiry dates. Jimenz also used the opportunity to point out that proper management is needed in the acquisition of medication and materials to prevent shortages.

Ramsaran advised that expiry dates must be checked; since sometimes the medications are bought in bulk and are sent to facilities where they are not needed. He urged the hospital to reject expired medications and those that have close expiration dates. According to GINA, he said noted that it is important for the Ministry to be aware of the challenges, so that they can be resolved quickly.

The Regional Health Officer, Shridevi Jaggit was encouraged to keep records to keep abreast with the needs of the facility.

Jimenz also pointed to the need for an ambulance driver, fuel, dental chairs, fans and bed sheets; also maintenance of air conditioning units, water filter, plumbing and electrical system.

According to GINA, the minister said the facility’s compound should be sprayed on a monthly basis, as a defence against mosquitoes; NDC Chairman, Dayanand Maraj said the regional body has the equipment and personnel to conduct the spraying exercise. The services are to be made available for the health facilities in the area and the ministry will provide the chemicals.

Further, Ramsaran in referring to the efficiency of the water supply said a request will be made to the Guyana Water Inc. for the water to be tested and the purity level determined.

As part of moving forward, Guyanese doctors are to be dispatched to the hospital to aid the Cuban team in providing effective services