The Ministry of Health yesterday launched its first ever Regional Drug Bond at Bush Lot in Mahaica-Berbice.
The bond is expected to house and distribute supplies to facilities across Region Five, a release from the Ministry of Health said.
During his brief remarks, Dr Desmond Nicholson, the Regional Health Officer (RHO) of Region Five said that the newly established Regional Bond is a significant achievement.
“The vision is that we must at all times have sufficient levels of buffer stock, which is important in preventing drug shortages. With this bond, we envision good warehousing practices which include proper storage conditions for biopharmaceuticals that often have temperature sensitive active ingredients that become ineffective if exposed to heat or light”, Dr Nicholson said, according to the release.
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the bond is valued at $35.3m. A DPI release said it will also supply the soon to be built modern regional hospital and three new health centres being constructed in the region this year.
Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal said “This facility has created the foundation for better services to come in this region and also to facilitate the demands that will be coming over the next years ahead”.
According to DPI, he said that the drug bond was long advocated for and was a priority for the PPP/C Government when it entered office in 2020.
“The three additional health centres, these will be constructed in areas where persons are having difficulties or will have to travel presently far distances to access health care, now they will not have to go that long distance, and in cases of emergencies we can treat with it in a timely manner and to save lives,” Ramphal stated, according to DPI.
