The Regional Health Services in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Programme and the Regional Administration of Region Six yesterday commissioned a Chest Clinic in the compound of the Port Mourant Hospital.
Regional Executive Officer, Narindra Persaud noted that rehabilitation works were carried out on the building to the tune of $4.8 million in order to facilitate the Chest Clinic.
According to the health officials present, yesterday’s commissioning was the third for the region thus making the service more accessible to residents. The other two locations are Skeldon and New Amsterdam.
Persaud stressed that the clinic is another step toward ensuring that health services are decentralised and accessible in Region Six. “This government and the regional administration is ensuring that specialised health care is available at every facility in this region,” he said, adding that they have since restarted the National Ophthalmology Hospital located in the compound.
While encouraging the continuation of a collaborative effort within the region, he urged those present to remember that health care is everybody’s business.
Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health Dr. Narine Singh, in his remarks pointed out that it was only fitting that the commissioning was done yesterday since it also happened to be World Tuberculosis Day.
He mentioned that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 4,000 persons die daily worldwide from tuberculosis. He also stated that at a United Nations meeting, a commitment was made to end tuberculosis by 2030, and therefore Guyana must play its part. “It is especially important that we stick to that commitment.”
Dr Singh also pointed out that although COVID-19 has slowed the progress made over the previous years, efforts must be continued. “It is important that we strengthen our response by rolling out the typical services that will lead to the end of tuberculosis and COVID-19, so we need to work harder.”
Also present at yesterday’s activity was Dr Bheri Ramsaran, Advisor to the Minister of Health; Dr Jeetendra Mohanlall, Manager of the National Tuber-culosis Programme; Dr Vishalya Sharma, Regional Health Officer of Region Six; and Dr Sukdeo, physician in charge of the Port Mourant Hospital.
