… a state-of-the-art hospital just 15 minutes away
IN response to rumors of an evolving hospital at Mora Point in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice), Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr.Bheri Ramsaran, sought to clarify any misconceptions during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday. He pointed out that, in light of the fact that Mora Point Health Centre has been recently upgraded with the help of an NGO in the diaspora, there are no plans to erect a hospital there.
“The Ministry of Health never had any intention of creating a hospital or mini hospital at Mora Point,” he emphasized.
He gave assurances that such a facility is not needed in the community, since there is a “modern, state-of-the-art” hospital at the head of the Mahaicony River, fifteen minutes away, in the compound of the former Mahaicony Cottage Hospital.
“This facility is equipped to serve the residents in the community, including Mora Point, as we have recently added a Diagnostic and Treatment Centre there,” Dr. Ramsaran said.
In addition, there is an entire, comprehensive medical team, comprising Guyanese and Cubans, including a resident surgeon, ready and able to render their services at the Mahaicony Hospital.
Alluding to the concerns over the lack of medical staff at the refurbished Mora Point Health Centre, the Minister stated that there is a Community Health Worker (CHW) presently stationed there.
He pointed out that when the facility was re-opened last year, there was a Medex assigned, who, after leaving without notice, was replaced.
“After the last Medex was relocated to a community where she was most needed, a Community Health Worker, who was specially trained to deliver certain services, was deployed in the community,” the Minister explained.
He added that despite the appointment of the resident CHW, the Health Centre has not been deprived of medical supervision or expertise, since there is a wealth of personnel at the Mahaicony Hospital, a short distance away.
“This is an example of the rational use of scarce resources,” Dr.Ramsaran explained. The administration has been ensuring that in the Administrative Regions, Guyanese have access to adequate health services; this is manifested through the construction of health facilities and the dispatch of health care providers throughout the regions.
Medical Services
In a continued effort to provide adequate and sufficient health care to all Guyanese, the Health Ministry has been collaborating with the Cuban government to provide skilled staff, while Guyanese youths are sent to Cuba to receive medical training. Following training, they are returning to provide services in health facilities across the country.
Twenty-six Cuban health care providers recently joined the team at the Diagnostic Centre in Mahaicony, boosting the provision of services and ensuring the availability of a strong work-force at the institution.
Referring to the availability of a larger number of medical practitioners, Ramsaran said, “One doctor, along with a medical team, visits the Mora Point Health Centre on a monthly basis, and another visit is scheduled for September 14.”
In addition, the Ministry of Health has expanded its vaccination programme to include other vaccines, like the H1N1 in Mora Point, where 110 doses of the vaccine were administered during the last visit there.
“The residents of Mora Point have not been left out, things are happening there and the community is being protected,” Dr.Ramsaran said, adding, “It is this level of service we will keep at the Mora Point Health Centre.”