The Ministry of Health says Regional Health Officers (RHOs) did a commendable job meeting challenges last year but it called on them to publicise training programmes it offers throughout the year so that health professionals can benefit, thereby boosting the quality of care offered.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the RHOs discussed their region’s achievements and challenges during 2010, reviewed their achievements, their challenges and how they intend to conquer them at the first of two RHO conferences held on Wednesday. The seminar was held under the theme ‘Working towards a stronger regional health care system’. The RHOs submitted their reports prior to the meeting, which contained the population and mortality rates in the respective regions.
In his feature address, Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran noted that while the sector has been able to secure the needed resources in 2011 “emphasis will be placed on delivering quality services, equity in delivery, value for money and proper patient/customer relations.” He said too despite the challenges in the previous year, the ministry is looking for more productivity from the acquired resources.
In this regard, Dr Ramsaran pointed out that there is a need for better management mechanisms within the regions. He noted that regions two and seven have demonstrated good management which is reflected in their reports and relationships formed with sister agencies. The minister also referred to the recent maternal deaths which occurred at the GPHC. He indicated that following investigations into one of the incidents where one patient was transferred from the West Demerara hospital to the GPHC; it was discovered that the institution had no scrub nurses to assist in the delivery.
“In such a case where there are shortages of human resources, the RHO and the Ministry of Local Government would have been responsible for interventions to ensure the facility had the full cadre of staff,” he said. Dr Ramsaran also noted that Cabinet has recognised the need for a closer relationship between the ministry and the RHO which is not controlled by the ministry. In an effort to facilitate better communication between the two, the Ministry of Local Government has employed a liaison officer to facilitate communications between the two ministries. The minister further indicated as the ministry deploys doctors and other health workers to the regions, the Regional Health managers need to provide support by ensuring the availability of adequate accommodation. So far 38 doctors have been deployed to various health institutions in the hinterland including areas such as Annai and Kamarang.
Dr. Ramsaran also recognised the successes achieved by the ministry’s roving doctors’ initiative which facilitated the execution of 84 surgeries at the Mabaruma Regional Hospital, in Region One. Fifty surgeries were done at the Lethem Hospital in Region Nine. This initiative was a public/private partnership which saw the provision of specialized services at the two institutions. The ministry also facilitated the professional progression of doctors through the delivery of specialized programmes, some of which were facilitated by the GPHC.
Three hundred and ten professionals received training in the Advanced Labour Room Management programme.
Dr Ramsaran also said that 2011 is the year for safe motherhood and the ministry is creating a cadre of health workers to ensure the programme is realised. Training in anaesthesia and other specialised programmes was also available for professional nurses. The majority of persons involved in the programmes hailed from Georgetown and Region Four and as such the ministry hopes to engage nurses from further afield. In this regard Dr Ramsaran urged RHOs to be more ware of the various training programmes so that persons from their regions can participate.
He also said that three more scholarships will be available in 2011 for doctors to pursue training in ophthalmology. However there will be more stringent requirements to allow persons who have been in the system for a number of years to benefit. “This is in addition to the three doctors who will commence training in Paraguay and Guatemala, respectively, and facilitates the Ministry’s efforts towards building its cadre of doctors with skills in ophthalmology,” GINA said.
