2004 Budget...
Increased spending, more international help for health sector
- Minister Ramsammy
Guyana Chronicle
April 2, 2004
"We will continue to build Hospitals, train medical personnel and improve technology in the health sector," says Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.
In a television interview with NCN's Martin Goolsarran on the Health Ministry's projections for 2004, Dr.Ramsammy noted that the Government has signed an agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the construction of the Linden Hospital.
The in-patient building at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) will also be rehabilitated. Residents of Mabaruma in Region One (Barima/Waini) will have a new hospital and Lethem Hospital will be completed by yearend.
Minister Ramsammy stated that in an effort for all Guyanese to have better health care countrywide, several health centres will be built.
Partnerships with international organisations will continue.
The International Hospital for Children has signed an agreement with Queen Elisabeth Hospital in Barbados. So children who initially had to travel to the United States for the cardiac operations could now travel to Barbados.
"This is a great relief for us. It will cost the Government just US$1,000 per child," Minister Ramsammy stated. Prior to that arrangement it cost the Government US$12,000 per child.
The University of Ghent in Belgium is also assisting in cardiac surgeries for adults and Minister Ramsammy said that the first cardiac surgery was a success story.
He noted that with such active partners, the capacity to perform operations here will soon become a reality.
$50M will be allocated for a special project to alleviate disability, especially people suffering from cataract.
"I know of many persons who have become disabled, because of this problem," said the Health Minister.
The monies will be used for testing and assisting persons in obtaining their spectacles and Minister Ramsammy added, "We will sign an agreement with the public and private sectors and other entities to join in this venture."
He also expects a collaborative partnership with the Private and Public Hospitals in making available their theatres for cataract surgeries.
Another major area for the Ministry this year - is the control of Malaria. Minister Ramsammy revealed that a team from the Global Fund is in the country for consultations in regard to providing assistance in HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. Guyana is expected to receive US$2.7M from the non-governmental organisation.
"This money would assist us with the diagnostic and technical support in controlling these diseases," said Minister Ramsammy.
In relation to the control of Malaria, Minister Ramsammy said that Guyana is embarking on a vector control programme: Bed Nets - impregnated with pesticides to kill mosquitoes.
"These nets are long lasting impregnated nets and we will target Regions Seven and Eight and expand to Regions One and Nine," the Health Minister explained.
The nets are treated with resin that binds the pesticide so that washing does not remove the chemical.
Negotiations are also underway to have a German company invest in Guyana to manufacture the nets locally for export to Latin and Caribbean countries.
"This will definitely create economic opportunities for Guyana," added the Minister.
Training is also top priority for the Health Ministry. To this end the Ministry is exploring possibilities of training doctors locally in surgeries at the GPHC with the support from Leeds University in the United Kingdom, the University of Virginia and the University of Toronto.
Minister Ramsammy said that training of nurses will also continue, despite losing them to overseas Hospitals, and plans are afoot to have another Nursing School built.
"I am totally determined that we will open a Nursing School in Essequibo," Minister Ramsammy noted.
Another focus for the Ministry is the inspection of public and private Hospitals, Minister Ramsammy said. He noted that five private Hospitals were inspected and two will be granted licences.
The Minister's greatest challenge is to have all Guyanese receive access to quality health care, more doctors and sufficient drugs.
"This year we hope to make this a reality," he said.