Inpatients at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) are now receiving treatment in an internationally standardized facility.
The US$8 million state-of-the-art structure, funded by the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) under a health-sector reform project, was officially declared opened yesterday with ceremonial ribbon cutting and plaque unveiling by President Bharrat Jagdeo at New Market Street.
Chief Executive Officer ofthe GPH, Michael Khan, said the 202-bed facility includes individual oxygen tanks, compressed air outlets, a modern intercom system to page staff and make announcements, a microphone at each bed so patients may request or speak to health care personnel on duty, and isolation rooms and facilities.
The isolation facilities will be used to treat persons with communicable diseases. Quiet rooms are also available for grieving relatives and those who wish to meditate or pray.
The in-patient facility, which replaces the almost decrepit wooden colonial structure, also includes an intercom system in the bathrooms and should patients find themselves needing help they may pull on a cord to alert medical staff. Elevators are provided to avoid patients walking long distances and for taking patients either in stretchers or wheelchairs. The lobby is equipped with an entertainment area for visitors.
Khan said the problem of bed-sharing has been eliminated, since every patient will be given a dedicated bed for the duration of their stay at the GPHC. “The ambiance of this facility coupled with improved quality care and modern equipment will also allow for speedier rate of recovery,” he said.
President Bharrat Jagdeo in his brief remarks encouraged staff to keep up a good work while he promised more resource commitment towards the healthcare sector by government.
He emphasized the need for value for money and a patient-friendly staff while adding that the building of a multi-million dollar hospital had been approved by the Indian government. This hospital, he said, will start building in the first quarter of next year and will offer services locally equal to what obtains in developed countries for a small fraction of the cost since the hospital will be managed in collaboration with an external body for minimal service fees.
Jagdeo asked that accountability be a key factor when making plans for upward mobility.
“You may have a building but that isn’t all. It’s about good qualities. It’s about what happens within the agencies themselves. I urge you to ensure that you have a stronger focus on accountability …value for money more so in a country like ours you have to make sure you get the maximum value for every dollar we spend, particularly in healthcare,” he said.
He ended by echoing the “keep up the good work” statements made by previous speakers: Leslie Ann Edwards, Operations Specialist with the IDB and Dr Sheik Amir, the hospital’s Director of Medical Services.
During a reflective analysis of the strides the GPH had made in healthcare over the years, Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy lauded the commissioning of the new wing as a major step forward in boosting the quality of healthcare. He added that during the 1960s Guyana was recognized in the Caribbean as having the best healthcare facilities available. The goal of the Ministry of Health as well as his personal objective, he said, was to take the entity back to what it once was. Ramsammy highlighted also not only the thousands of major surgeries hospital staff undertake each year but also the many doctors the country has produced and their outstanding works both locally and internationally.
A tour of the facility followed, during which patients expressed satisfaction at services received since they were admitted.
