Expansion of the maternity ward at the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is scheduled for completion by February 2016 says Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton.
He was speaking during yesterday’s consideration of the budget estimates. The budget estimates for GPHC were approved after intense scrutiny and stand as proposed in the original estimates.
Former PPP/C Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran led the inquiries. Ramsaran speaking on the capital expenditure for GPHC asked about the status of the flagship project and the amount of bed units provided. Norton said in his clarification that the extension does not cater for 100 beds but 50 beds. Based on the planners’ update the Minister assured that the project is currently 50 percent completed and will be finished next year.
The figure of $59.3 million also caters for extension of the neonatal clinic, operating theatre and the teaching facility in the form of classrooms, according to Norton. However, exact numbers of the neonatal units could not be given because the planners are yet to determine the amount. He reassured Ramsaran that his government will make every effort to improve on the current neonatal unit and increase the amount of units to its maximum.
PPP/C MP Dr. Frank Anthony noted that the Georgetown Public Hospital accounts for more than 7000 live deliveries per year and further questioned the adequateness of 50 additional beds. In a response that garnered loud support from his fellow members of the government bench, Norton said, “Our desire [is] to never have again in our maternity department, patients doubling up on one bed.” He proposed an evaluation of the 50 units after the installation to better assess the adequacy of the units.
The expansion of the maternity ward was started on February 16, 2015. The contractor for the project is PD Contracting while the consultant responsible for the design and supervision is KALITECH INC. According to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, over $133.1 million will be spent on the expansion of the maternity unit during 2015.
Back in March of this year the sod was turned for a $240 million remodelling and expansion makeover aimed at providing additional facilities for staff, expectant and new mothers and newborns. CEO Michael Khan had said it would be the largest ever rehabilitation of the GPHC building.
