Japan presented a US$97,300 grant to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Friday to augment the equipment in the Paediatric Ward.
Japanese Ambassador to Guyana Yoshimasa Tezuka presented the cheque to hospital CEO Michael Khan, via the Grassroot Human Project, a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. The sum will be used to purchase monitors, ventilators and infusion pumps.
In a brief address at the presentation ceremony, Khan was quoted as saying that over the last five years a total of 12,090 children had been warded in the paediatric unit and 5,175 babies in the maternity unit. He said the funds will be used to procure the items that were identified by the nursing service department.
One of the most important items is the ventilator, which will help to improve the quality of care offered to children.
“As we get better, more and more children will be coming to the hospital to seek care and especially now that we have the equipment, the private hospitals are sending children to GPHC,” said Khan. Since the programme started, neo-natal deaths have reduced by 50%.
The ambassador reiterated that the grant will enhance support services at the GPHC as it seeks to improve the quality of neo-natal services. He explained that the project is designed to promote human security worldwide by assisting non-profitable organisations through targeting areas that endeavour to improve basic human needs.
Tezuka said Japan previously contributed to the enhancement of medical services in Guyana through the provision of equipment to the Bartica, Fort Wellington and New Amsterdam hospitals. He said the combined efforts of the two countries will create a synergy that will aid in the development of healthcare countrywide.
Director of Maternal and Child Health at the ministry, Dr Janice Woolford said Guyana is on track to achieve Millennium Developmental Goal four: reducing child mortality rates.
She said the quality of child care had improved over the years.
