Dear Editor,
It was brought to our attention recently that the healthcare meted out to our citizens at our public medical facilities in Guyana is unacceptable and leaves much to be desired. Com-plaints have been made about the long waiting times for patients to see a doctor in the emergency room at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
This may be attributed to delays in handing over of shifts by the Doctors and the healthcare team, and perhaps incomplete and lack of proper physical examination of the patients, which can lead to worsening health outcomes. Criticisms of misdiagnoses have also been levelled at physicians who may be tired or overworked.
The APNU+AFC Coalition Government calls on the Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony and by extension the PPP/C Govern-ment to give a strict account of the achievements of the health care systems as it pertains to service delivery including emergency care. With $129.8 billion dollars budgeted for this health sector in 2024, a clarion call goes out to the Minister to either step up and ensure that our Guyanese citizen experience optimal health or step down if opportunities to improve the healthcare system in Guyana are not grasped.
Touted as the third richest country in the Caribbean and the country with the fastest growing economy, it is expected that there be improved health outcomes for individual patients and an improved healthcare system. It is about time that the Guyanese citizens receive nothing short of a healthcare system which is safe, patient-centred, effective, efficient, equitable, timely, and dignified.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Karen Cummings, MP
Shadow Minister of Health
