GPHC ‘best medical institution in the country’
Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings
Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings

–CEO, at 20th anniversary interfaith service

STAKEHOLDERS of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Sunday reflected on some of the institution’s transformational improvements over the years at an interfaith service celebrating its 20 years in the business.

The event was hosted in the GPHC’s parking lot, and saw in attendance Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings; Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud; and GPHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brigadier (rtd) George Lewis among other government officials.

It marks the first of a series of activities expected within the next two weeks to celebrate the corporation’s milestone under the theme, ‘Striving for Excellence in Health Care Delivery’.

Speaking at the event, Lewis pinpointed transformations the institution would have undergone over th years, such as the establishment of the Ambulatory Care and Diagnostic Centre; the construction of a new in-patient facility in the Maternal Unit; and the establishment of the Institute of Health Science Education (IHSE) to provide specialised Post Graduate medical education.

Members of the audience (Photos by Marceano Narine)

He also highlighted the expansion of primary healthcare facilities in Kitty, Campbellville, Industry and Enmore, and asserted that despite the increasing demand for facilities, the GPHC is still the best medical institution in the country.

Minister Cummings, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI), applauded the staff’s dedication and hard work in their service to the nation throughout the years.

“The road has indeed been a long and arduous one. As the main referral hospital, I am aware of its prodigious workload, having worked here myself as a medical doctor. However, through the long days, and sometimes even longer nights, it is important that we deliver the best quality healthcare that we possibly can to our [patients],” she said.

Minister Cummings stated that within the public health sector, there is a great need for better client services in management at every level.

She said: “The Ministry of Public Health, since 2015, has embarked on the national delivery of patient-centred healthcare to the people of Guyana. The patient’s experience within the public healthcare system in Guyana must be predicated by positive, respectful, professional and courteous attitude from the commencement of the experience at the health care facility through all of its relevant departments to the end of the engagement.”

The interfaith service saw prayers coming from Hindu, Muslim and Christian religious leaders, and singing from the GPHC’s first mixed choir consisting of twenty medical practitioners.

The choir made riveting renditions of gospel music which infused spiritual reverence and dynamic energy to the audience.

Members of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Choir in action at the interfaith service on Sunday

Meanwhile, Bishop Michael Emmanuel Pereira delivered a stirring sermon to motivate the staff in their continuous service at the hospital.

The programme continued with high energy performances – from a dance and musical renditions performed by the talented nurses at the institution to a steelpan delivery by the Guyana Police Force Steel Band.

The event concluded with a harmonious hymn singing and joining of hands by the staff and special attendees.

Other events to mark the anniversary include the unveiling of the commemorative plaque; a health fair; a cultural evening; a Doctor’s Day; a Fun Day, and the anniversary cocktail reception.

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