The state-of-the-art regional hospital at Enmore along the East Coast Demerara can create employment for almost 1,000 persons when completed.
This is according to President Irfaan Ali during an inspection of the project on Monday. “For this facility, [we will need] more than 1,000 staff to manage it for 24 hours,” President Ali stated, according to a Department of Public Information (DPI) press release.
The DPI press release said that the Nursing Assistant programme, Pharmacy Assistant, and lab technician training programmes are already proving instrumental in upskilling Guyana’s workforce to meet the demand for these new facilities.
Additionally, DPI said thousands of nurses across the country are being upskilled through the government’s partnership with US-based online course provider, Coursera Inc. Meanwhile, DPI noted that the modern facility is scheduled for completion early next year. It will be equipped with digital, top-notch equipment. “We are building this to European and American standards for the equipment and facilities,” the president noted.
The DPI release said that the hospital will also be equipped with a 24-hour Accident and Emergency department, a fully equipped laboratory, and advanced imaging services. It will feature 75 inpatient beds, a modern birthing room, and two modern operating theatres, which will be staffed with highly trained medical professionals to ensure the highest level of care for patients. “It is not the big open-ward system anymore. This is up to international standards. Each room will carry five beds, with its own washroom facility. Basically, everything that Georgetown offers will be here,” the DPI release quoted President Ali as saying.
President Ali was accompanied by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, who provided a breakdown of the staff complement needed for the new facility. According to DPI, Anthony explained that about 30 doctors are needed, in addition to 400 nurses, and another 400 nursing assistants. Clerical and technical staff will also be critical to the facility’s operations. DPI said that the $6.6 billion facility is set to revolutionise healthcare delivery. This project is being undertaken by China CAMC Engineering Co Ltd (CAMC), a subsidiary of Sinomach.
