Dear Editor,
Permit me to respond to an article that appeared in Friday’s edition of Stabroek News headlined `New Amsterdam Hospital is going downhill’.
Mr. Haseef Yusuf in his capacity as chairman of the regional health committee has a mandate to report factually on health in this region to the Regional Democratic Council. Permit me to highlight some facts as it relates to the New Amsterdam Hospital and by extension health in Region 6.
* Cats and dogs has been an issue at all hospitals across Guyana. Previously the health committee in 2014, of which I was a part and Anil Beharry was the president, made several attempts to get rid of these animals and all proved ineffective. We went as far as to bring persons to catch these animals. It’s no secret that diseases give off odour that only dogs can smell hence one of the attractions to hospitals.
* There is no stench that is unbearable at this facility.
* At the time of penning this response there is no long list of drug shortages at the New Amsterdam Hospital or any of the other health facilities across the region.
* All sizes of X-Ray are being done, the machine is operating to its full capacity and there is no shortage of X-Ray films.
* The laboratory department is also operating to capacity.
As chairman of the regional health committee the RDC councillor has failed to report the significant progress in the health sector, permit me also to highlight a few of these positive steps;
* Over the past three weeks we had medical outreaches in three communities namely Brothers Village, Angoy’s Avenue, Port Mourant where we distributed OTC drugs, vitamins, first aid kits and other hygiene supplies to over seven hundred residents from these communities. These outreaches will continue over the next couple of months.
* Medical supplies, OTC drugs, medical equipment, bed sheets, etc were distributed to all sixteen Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and the three municipalities in this region.
* One CT Scan machine will be installed at the New Amsterdam Hospital so that CT scans can now be done right here at the facility.
* Capacity building training is being done for staff, so that service to residents can improve.
It is my humble task to ask that person to start reporting accurately and not rearranging the truth for their personal or political gain.
Yours faithfully,
Jevaughn Stephen
Director of Health
Region Six