The government has budgeted approximately 13 per cent of its proposed $383.1 billion budget to the health sector, with special allocations for the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and to add resources to address mental health issues.
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh during his presentation of the proposed 2021 budget stated that the government has budgeted some $53.5 billion for the public health sector in 2021.
The minister noted that it is President Irfaan Ali’s vision to transform Guyana’s healthcare system into one that is “world-class”.
“In order to achieve this vision, our administration intends to expand specialty level care, and, by extension, the menu of services offered to Guyanese; develop an adequate, well-trained, competent, and compassionate healthcare workforce; and modernize and expand our health facilities to improve access to both primary and specialty-level care while leveraging partnerships with the private sector and civil society,” Singh said.
He noted that although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a challenge in the world, the local health sector is adapting to the new reality. In its efforts, however, to combat the pandemic, the government has allocated some $750 million to support the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. This initiative, the minister mentioned, will go forward from February and continue throughout the year in a phased approach as the government’s ultimate aim is to promote vaccination and achieve herd immunity from the virus before the end of 2021.
Even as persons with comorbidities are expected to be within the second set of persons to receive the COVID-19 vaccines, Singh added that Guyana must reassess its treatment of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular issues. He reported that for the year 2021 the health sector has to reorient itself to increase healthcare outreaches and screening to be able to reach at least 30,000 persons.
Some of the successes the government has had so far in the sector were mentioned, including bringing the Centre for Infectious Diseases to functionality in a short space of time.
In addition to that, the minister noted that the health sector’s budget also allocates some $35 million for the establishment of a diabetic prevention and rehabilitation clinic at the Lusignan Health Centre.
As it relates to the infrastructural development of the sector, the government has allocated some $2.8 billion. This includes the completion of construction of a polyclinic at Festival City and the remodeling of the Skeldon Hospital at a joint cost of $88.3 million.
The $2.8 billion includes, “the continued implementation of the $860 million SMART Hospital initiative, the operationalization of the upgraded Leonora Hospital, and the commissioning of the upgraded Diamond Diagnostic Centre and Mabaruma Hospital in 2021, while works will advance on the Lethem and Paramakatoi Hospitals,” Singh explained.
Further, the finance minister noted that the government has also allocatted $140 million to finance Maternal Waiting Homes and facilities at Moruca, Enmore, and Kato, along with $100 million for the construction and retrofitting of the maternity ward at the New Amsterdam Hospital.
The minister went on to add that in this year’s budget, $1.8 billion will be provided for the purchasing of critical medical equipment for the sector, of which $99.8 million is being allocated to re-equipping the Ophthalmology Hospital in Port Mourant.
“Government also intends to expend $322 million, in 2021, for the acquisition of medical equipment, including ventilators and anaesthesia machines, which will serve to expand the diagnosis and treatment capacity at the National Referral Hospital” the finance minister said, adding that another $35 million will be allocated to strengthening the capacity of Guyana’s emergency medical services. This, he said, includes the formulation of a “holistic plan” to introduce an ambulance authority.
Singh pointed out that the sector will be adding more resources to address mental health issues, and suicide prevention and care, while also expanding access to psychiatric and psychological services in the country.
“We have allocated over $70 million to address the shortage of essential medication for psychiatric patients. Additionally, Government will strive to ensure greater resilience and access to mental health services at a national level through the construction of an 18-bed mental health ward at the National Referral Hospital at a cost of $26 million, and also through the review and revision of the Mental Health Act of 1930” the finance minister outlined during the budget presentation while acknowledging that the legislation is overlooked and outdated. On that note he told the Assembly that the government intends to integrate those services into the primary healthcare system.
Additionally it was stated that some $900 million was set aside in the health sector’s budget for the related treatment and testing for HIV. Singh mentioned that the government will intensify its partnerships with civil society organizations to encourage expanded testing and care so as to ensure that persons with the virus are able to continue their anti-retroviral treatment.
