RESIDENTS of Central Corentyne and its environs can now expect improved service delivery at the Port Mourant Hospital.
The hospital which was previously associated with poor service delivery has for the past two years been constantly improving its service and is now one of the better hospitals in Region Six.

Focal Point Coordinator, Ministry of Health, Region Six, Alex Foster, on Wednesday took Guyana Chronicle on a tour to highlight the recent improvements made.
According to Foster, the hospital underwent a recent transformation of several departments, including the Maternity ward, Accident and Emergency Unit, Pharmacy, Ophthalmology and Rehabilitation department for Occupational, Speech and Physical Therapy among others, all thanks to collaboration with private citizens, Food for the Poor and the Department of Public Health.

Foster explained that in the past very few patients utilised the services of the maternity department and opted to go to either New Amsterdam or Skeldon instead. However, he is willing to stake his reputation that the maternity ward at the Port Mourant Hospital is unmatched by any across the country in that it overlooks the beautiful landscape of the hospital’s complex with a constant north Atlantic breeze blowing, giving much-needed serenity to expectant mothers and visitors in a clean, spacious and comfortable setting.
The delivery ward has the capacity to conduct four deliveries simultaneously while the wards have the capacity to house 20 patients comfortably.

Recent upgrades to the ward include installation of incubators, fetal heart monitors, recliners and bedside cots for each bed. These, according to Foster, were made possible through Food for the Poor within a two-week period.
“A gynaecologist is now stationed at the hospital with doctors and midwives on standby 24/7 and while we don’t offer surgeries as yet due to the absence of a theatre, we have an ambulance round the clock if the need arises to transport patients to New Amsterdam,” Foster explained.

He continued that nurses and midwives from the various health centres are encouraged to make use of the facility by accompanying their patients to have their deliveries done.
Doctor in Charge of the Hospital (ag) Denisha Alstine-Slingov, who was previously stationed at the New Amsterdam Hospital, echoed similar sentiments as she urged patients to make use of the facility to ease the overcrowding of the New Amsterdam Hospital.
An open-day was also held on Wednesday with expectant mothers and other patients given a tour of the upgraded facilities and all were impressed with the cleanliness and serenity of the ward.

Leah Leitch, 28, who is expecting in May, told Guyana Chronicle she is certain she will return to the Port Mourant Hospital to deliver her second child. “This place really nice, it peaceful, clean and get nuff space. I was planning to go New Amsterdam as I did for me first born but I know fuh sure I am coming here cause it much better and I will tell the other patients at my clinic too, because I know for sure nobody expect Port Mourant to be like this.”

KITCHEN
To further add to the already upgraded maternity ward and to complement the other services at the hospital, Foster said they are re-opening the kitchen to cater for patients.
“The kitchen has not been operating for several years now and we have already cleared the space and placed an order at the stores for equipment and utensils. We will have everything that New Amsterdam Hospital have because many times patients come in and they don’t have anything to eat or drink and that is not healthy for them, especially pregnant mothers. While the kitchen is being furnished, competent staff will be brought in to oversee the operations as well,” Foster said.

He explained that due to the level of leadership and changes made, staff members also got on board to help improve the overall experience for patients.
“It is heartening to see the staff come on board and pitch in out of their own pockets. The doctor in charge went home and got her husband to purchase a refrigerator for the therapy department that was much needed. Sister Jacqueline Spencer who was brought here to oversee the operations has been leading by example instead of directing; and the same applies for other staff members. For me, this is testament of the level of confidence the staff has in the work done so far and I am sure while we have room for improvement we are on the right track”.

Foster was also high in praise for the private sector, especially the owner of Poonai’s Pharmacy who he said is always someone that the Department of Public Health can count on for assistance. The pharmacy recently helped with the installation of slotted shelves and other infrastructural works in the pharmacy which ran out of space due to increased supplies. In addition, the Accident and Emergency Unit was redone to allow for more privacy as well.