Dear Editor,
I felt very relieved when I read that “President Dr Irfaan Ali has pledged investments by his Government into clearing the backlog of surgeries in the public health sector with a focus on women and children.” I think I speak on behalf of the many who will benefit from this kind of necessary intervention, and I mean from the perspective of both the patients involved, and of those within their domestic network. Indeed, it is not news to any that when health issues are beyond what the primary care provider can mete out, that there will be the referral to specialists, as long as these are available, or can be accessed.
On this note, the great United States, in recent years, has shifted to offer more niche medical programs that provide specialized healthcare. These medical programs are often referred to as centers of excellence, that focus on the same diseases, disorders or medical conditions, but with a team of the best and brightest medical specialists in their respective fields. For example, elite cardiologists collaborate on the latest research, treatments and surgery techniques for cardiovascular disease, or oncologists pool resources to offer patients premier treatment and disease management.
On our local scene, “… the Head of State asked for a list of the surgeries that needed to be done and made a commitment to having the needed specialists brought in to do them.” This pledge inheres from what President Ali explained, that “We have been receiving several requests to support our healthcare system from different stakeholders. I want us, together, to agree which are the key areas in which we have a backlog. If we have a backlog in a specific area, which are these areas and which areas you require us to bring in specialised help, so that we can clear those backlogs.”
Editor, my second comment is about apprising readers, that we should bear in mind that a Primary Care Doctor is quite different from a Specialist. So, making moves for this level of care ‘takes some doing.’ The doctor who will treat a patient fits into two categories: primary care provider (PCP) and specialist. A primary care provider is also known as a family practice doctor, internist, general practitioner or geriatrician (for older adults) who is trained in a diverse range of medicine and medical procedures. This PCP is at the initial-level contact, to see about basic health needs and concerns. A specialist on the other hand is a medical doctor who has completed additional training in a specific medical field such as rheumatology, gastroenterology or dermatology. Also, the PCP is the gatekeeper of the patients’ overall health and is the one who will make referrals to a specialist. Then where this initial and imminent move is concerned, President Ali detailed that “… surgeries for women and children will be a priority in clearing these backlogs… as I want us to spend time clearing backlogs, especially issues affecting women and children. I want us to identify the areas of backlog and we’re going to invest in clearing those backlogs.”
A final comment here is that overall, it augurs well for Guyana where efforts are being bolstered. For example, there is “… the $32 billion (€149 million) Guyana Paediatric and Maternal Hospital that is being constructed at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), (which is to be) completed in the last quarter of 2025.” This state-of-the-art edifice is being financed by the United Kingdom’s export credit agency – UK Export Finance (UKEF), and is being built by Austria-based Vamed Engineering. This piece of medical infrastructure will feature 256 beds and will be a referral centre for women and children. The areas to be covered – maternal, neonatal, and paediatric care – with a huge imaging suite for services such as CT scans and MRIs, a modern laboratory, and surgical suites.”
Sincerely,
HB Singh
