THE Health Sector is not a place for insensitive people or those who refuse to follow the existing rules.
This was the bold declaration by Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy during his address to the newer staff additions at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) attending a sensitisation workshop to mark National Breastfeeding Week.
Ramsammy said administrators and those in charge have to demand respect, from subordinates, for rules and procedures associated with the sector and contribute to the delivery of health care to the Guyanese people.
He alluded to “scarce” incidents of insensitivity and said they tarnish the sector’s image, for which many have laboured over the years.
Ramsammy insisted that a new direction must be taken and discipline, when required, must be meted out without fear or favour.
“This is what we are going to do,” he warned.
Ramsammy said taking a rigorous approach to institutional disciplinary action is a must and gone are the days for only making recommendations and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud has been instructed accordingly.
“We have to take stricter measures,” the Minister said.
He said the Ministry is following some cases, where health workers have been “insensitive” and breached procedures, in an effort to enforce its vision of betterment within.
Ramsammy’s opinion is that not all health workers should be painted with the same brush.
However, in dealing with the issues, he said a better health care sector will come not only because of the efforts of but the cooperation of all stakeholders.