– Mid-year report
The health sector is expected to benefit from an increase in health care providers with the graduation of over 670 persons which include professional nurses , nursing assistants, post-basic midwives, single trained midwives, pharmacy assistants, community health workers, audiology practitioners, and X-ray and medical laboratory technicians.
The deployment of these medical personnel is critical to addressing the growing demand for health care service across the country.
This is according to the mid-year report which was tabled in the Parliament on Thursday by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh. The report outlines the expenditure of money for the development of the various sectors.  

Building human resources
The report pointed out that during the first half of the year, Government expended over $111.8M for the development of the human resource capacity in the health sector. The allocated funds facilitated training for over 1,200 students in nursing, clinical and technical fields across the country.
The available funding ensures that quality health services are provided to Guyanese throughout the country, and gives youths the opportunity to pursue a variety of medical careers.

Construction, rehabilitation and maintenance
The health sector was budgeted to spend $13.3B of which $5.4B was expended at the end of the first half, reflecting a 13 percent decrease over the same period last year. This decrease was mainly attributed to delays in the completion of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s new in-patient facility, due to modifications in its design.
Of the $1.4B budgeted for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of health facilities countrywide, over $205.4M was spent in the first half of the year. This includes $74.6M for the completion of the new in-patient facility which was rescheduled due to reconfigurations of the ground floor.
These configurations aim at increasing the bed capacity by over 300 while a further $22.4M was expended on the supply and installation of two new elevators at the GPHC.
Additionally, $7.5M was expended for the rehabilitation of the West Demerara Regional Hospital’s in-patient surgical building which, when completed, is expected to expand the range of services available and will reduce the number of referrals to the GPHC.
A further $1.8M was expended for the rehabilitation of the Skeldon Hospital which is expected to be completed by end of 2010.
The modernisation of health facilities remain a priority since it allows for the expansion of services delivered at health facilities, throughout the country.

Procurement of drugs and medical supplies
The report indicated that $1.2B was spent for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies for the public health care system. This was complemented by training aimed at strengthening the supply chain, optimising management processes, identifying key indicators and logistics information for reporting and evidence-based decision making.
In addition, works continue on the construction of the medical supplies warehouse facility at Diamond, which is expected to improve inventory management, storage and distribution of drugs nationally.

Establishment of Voluntary Counselling and Testing sites
Under the youth friendly services, Voluntary Counselling & Testing (VCT) sites were established for children at health centres in Linden, Region Ten and Beterverwagting, Region Four.       
This project was complemented by outreaches to eleven schools in Regions Two, Three, Five and Six, aimed at addressing areas of sexual reproductive health.
Additionally, three health clubs were established at schools in Regions Two and Three, while six more are expected to be launched by the end of 2010. In addition, two new websites were launched which engage youths in a virtual community where views, ideas and activities are shared on a wide cross section of issues.
The programmes also include the drug demand reduction campaign which aimed at influencing persons to pursue healthier lifestyles while promoting behavioural change.

Expansion of the food and drug analyst department
The report also addressed the expansion of analytical services at the Food and Drug Analyst Department. In an effort to upgrade and strengthen the registration systems, customs officers received training in the identification, safe handling and manufacturing of illicit drugs; and audit and record-keeping of narcotics, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.
The mid-year report emphasised that the country’s economy recorded positive growth throughout the first half of 2010. This revelation, coupled with the favourable performance of the various sectors, indicate Government’s continued commitment to the fulfillment of prudent and stable macroeconomic policies and strengthening Guyana’s economic base through modernisation and diversification along a low carbon path. (GINA)