The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has agreed to strengthen security at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), a move which comes two days after doctors and other health workers protested the poor arrangements at the institution.
“Concerned officials of the WDRH yesterday met with the MoPH [and] were able to find common ground and iron out most of the difficulties with both sides agreeing to a raft of measures, some of which will be implemented in the short term,” the Public Health Ministry said in a statement yesterday.
Among the measures discussed was the deployment of armed ranks of the Guyana Police Force as a permanent feature at the hospital; this is intended to beef up security for doctors who have been perennially abused – verbally and physically – by Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) residents, especially when they are under the influence of alcohol or believe they have waited long enough to see a physician.
It was also noted that the Region Three officials are prepared to fund this initiative.
However, it is unclear when exactly the police will be sent to the hospital, as both the WDRH and the MoPH are awaiting the approval from the Commissioner of Police.
In the meantime, locks will be installed on several doors of the hospital to enable doctors and nurses to better secure themselves in the face of assaults by irate patients or their families.
Stabroek News understands that Emergency Room doctors “took sick leave” on Monday and Tuesday, leaving the health institution short of critical staff.
However, the Ministry in its statement refuted claims that the doctors’ decision was a strike, saying instead that the problems at the WDRH were essentially “managerial issues, but the doctors are back at work in full strength.”
Nonetheless, the assurance was given that the emergency room doctors are back at work in full strength following their public discontent over their security fears, conditions of work, especially the physical state of the department at the hospital
Also, among the plan of action agreed to between the parties, is to hike the number of attendants working at the hospital, as this has been a concern for the hospital for some time now. A better remuneration package for the doctors was also discussed.
“It is expected that the PSC (Public Service Commission) will work swiftly to approve the increase of staff,” the statement read.
Employees at the WDRH have in the past been confronted with abuse by residents of the mainly agricultural community for years, and have been appealing for a “safe space” at the hospital to secure themselves from the almost weekly attacks, most of which go unreported.
Just about a month ago, staff hospital were attacked by a drunken group seeking medical assistance.
In the face of escalating aggression against hospital workers, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence met with ranks of the Region Three Police and Senior Region Three leaders to work out a plan to better protect workers and boost their morale.
Meanwhile, Commander of ‘B’ Division Leslie James during discussions with the Minister promised to restart nightly checks at the health facility by police, which he said will “send a strong message to the West Demerara community, and help us arrest the perception that anyone can come in [to the hospital] and misbehave with impunity.”
He also promised to meet with executives of Home Safe, the firm hired to provide security at the WDRH, and highlight the need for stronger qualification criteria for security agents under their charge.
