Nurse shortage to be remedied at Suddie Hospital
--President assures during visit to Region Two
Guyana Chronicle
August 17, 2004
GINA - The Suddie Hospital will soon be further upgraded with specific focus being placed on staff development and the maternal and child health department.
This follows promises made by the Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo on Sunday during a visit to the institution, where he met the Medical Superintendent Dr. Harinanganarine Singh and other senior medical staff, and patients.
At a meeting with some hospital staff, the President was told of a severe nurse shortage there. The Medical Superintendent said that the hospital has submitted the names of six applicants, but that the appointment process is being delayed.
The President immediately instructed Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford to have the issue sorted out by the end of this week, since the names are with that Ministry.
The hospital also has a shortage of personnel to administer anesthesia. There are two potential staffers, a Guyanese and a Cuban, and President Jagdeo also instructed Minister Westford to ensure the issue surrounding their employment is sorted out.
The hospital requires an additional doctor, since its surgeon, Cuban national Dr. Machado Felix, will be leaving Guyana in September at the end of his two-year contract.
The President pointed to the problem of a shortage in the medical field and urged the Region to submit names of qualified persons to fill vacancies. He said Government has been recruiting specialists overseas and there are 24 Indians working in Guyana under this arrangement.
The Suddie Hospital also needs an orthopaedic surgeon. There is only one at the Georgetown Hospital and the President agreed to examine the possibility of a visiting schedule with the Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.
On the issue of Medex shortages, President Jagdeo said Government is examining the option of training larger numbers, since many of those who have been trained have migrated.
At present, the hospital has no incubator, one of which costs about $1M. The President said this will be supplied shortly, as it is a key component of maternal and child health.
The Medical Superintendent said the hospital has been meeting demands reasonably well, but should the President's intervention come through, it will bring great relief to them.
On average, the 102-bed hospital sees about 100 patients per day. There are five doctors at the hospital.
The hospital has a commendable record system, which it is currently trying to computerise.
The President then visited the Adventure Ferry Stelling. There are plans to build another stelling (pier) at Good Hope, Essequibo Coast. This new mooring area is expected to end the long wait commuters experience at present. Two additional ferries will also be added to the service.
Regional Chairman Mr Ali Baksh said the contract for the project will be awarded later this year or by mid-next year. This is said to be a key project for Region Two and should put an end to farmers' complaints that their perishable produce are damaged while awaiting transportation.
Accompanying President Jagdeo to Essequibo were Foreign Trade Minister Clement Rohee, Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford and Information Liaison to the President Robert Persaud. (Government Information Agency)