PUBLIC Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, has called for a transparent rotation system free of victimisation when deploying medical specialists to hinterland areas.Undergoing stints in Guyana’s hinterland region is one strategy to help narrow the gap in the quality of healthcare residents in those areas receive when compared to the coast. Minister Lawrence said while she is cognizant of the general reluctance of health professionals to work in the hinterland, Regional Health Officers (RHOs) and Heads of Departments must ensure that the rotation system is not a cover to settle personal grouses. “The system of rotation has to be well mapped out and executed so that there is transparency and the stint does not hint of victimisation or reproof,” Lawrence said.
Hinterland residents, she said, deserve the best primary health care Guyana offers and health professionals “must be prepared” to make that sacrifice of working in those areas, by making quality care accessible for them.
Personal disputes must not hinder the delivery of health care Lawrence said reiterating the country’s Health Vision 2020 as captured in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals with particular focus on Goal #3 detailing the health and well-being of the country’s 750,000 citizens.

Minister Lawrence made the call on Wednesday while addressing the penultimate day of the Regional Health Officers (RHOs) and Programme Heads conference held at the Regency Suites in Georgetown, under the theme ‘Collaboratively we build a resilient health care system that is acceptable, accessible, timely and appropriate to meet the needs of every person in Guyana’.
Later this month, 25 general medical officers-including two psychologists and three other specialists-are expected to be deployed to hinterland areas in the continuous quest to broaden access to optimum health care, Dr Kay Shako, Director of Regional Health Services (RHS), announced at the four-day meeting.
The most desirable health care service has three key components according to Dr Shako.
“In order for someone to have optimum health care, it must not only be affordable but it must also be acceptable and it must be accessible.”
When he spoke, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkhan, lamented the skirting of the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) in the delivery of health services nationwide.
“The Ministry of Communities will lead the way in seeking to ensure that there is respect for provisions in the constitution relating to the role of local democratic audience.” I believe it will lead to better outcomes in health services delivery,” Minister Bulkan said.
Meanwhile, a tripartite working group comprising Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Public Health and the Regional Executive Officers (REOs) are currently designing and organogram and conducting a needs assessment to help reduce the workload of RHOs.
When the current system is revamped the RHOs must spend more time performing their clinical functions rather than labouring under tedious administrative duties.
“We made a pledge to our nation to cater for their health and well-being and we would be doing them a disservice if we do not improve the quality of service in the delivery of primary health care to all, inclusive of those in the remotest areas in our regions,” Minister Lawrence said. Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings, was also present in addition to the Directors and Coordinator of the Cuban Medical Team.