AS Region 10 medial authorities seek to increase and enhance its contingency plan to address aggressively, COVID19, a decision has been taken to have all patients in isolation stay at the Wismar Hospital. However, with this decision, some nurses and personnel at the hospital expressed concerns, which they communicated through their Medical Superintendent (MS), Dr. Steve Mark.

After discussions with a team of medical officials from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Dr. Mark has endorsed the efforts, praising the decision, while declaring that he stands committed and united in the decision to use part of the Wismar Hospital for isolation of persons.

He disclosed that the idea, which was first mooted by the visiting team and endorsed by MS of Mackenzie Hospital and Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Pansy Armstrong, saw him having some reservations.

This, he explained, was because of experience more directly with the stigma that the hospital suffered during Guyana’s peak of HIV cases. He, however, admitted that unlike then when the entire hospital was used for HIV-related matters and services, he feels very comfortable with the approach currently being taken.

Dr. Mark said with the hospital still being able to provide some of its services that it has been offering over the years and recognising that the fight against COVID-19 requires a united and concentrated approach, he stands firmly behind the decision.

“I did have my reservations as some of the nurses did express concerns but listening to the team from Georgetown and my colleagues in the RHO and Dr. London explaining what will take place and how we will execute this, has caused me to realise that it is the best plan for the situation,” he said.

Dr. Mark expressed delight with the announcement that works, which have already started, would be completed in another two to three weeks’ time. He said with the united and aggressive approach being taken by his colleagues both at the regional and national level, he foresees the country winning the COVID-19 fight.

“To ensure that we remain successful, this requires the support and involvement of everyone. We would address whatever concerns and issues along the way, but with regards to the selection of a location and the areas that were identified within the hospital, I foresee no challenges to what we have been doing and I am not worried about any potential stigma as what we have isn’t a COVID-19 hospital, but rather part of our hospital designated to isolate COVID-related patients. Frankly, there must be an area that patients can be isolated who would have come into contact with the disease, and this is certainly the best place,” he said.

The RHO also said that the nurses between both hospitals usually rotate every six months, but disclosed that based on consultations with the two MS, she would be ensuring that rotation is taking place every three months instead of the original six months.
“With all the required systems being implemented and the requisite training for our nurses, we can and would be able to effectively fight this disease as the good thing is that the Ministry of Public Health and our sisters – Mackenzie and Kwakwani Hospitals – stands united and in support of us,” Dr. Mark noted.