GOVERNMENT, in its quest to expand and improve the health care delivery services, has undertaken, through the Medical Financial Assistance Programme, a $100M support initiative. Minister with the portfolio, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy explained, last Sunday, that the scheme contributes to the robust public/private partnership in health (PPP/H), that affords Guyanese access to those services not yet available, as part of the free public services.
He said, in 2010, medical assistance was provided to 396 persons who requested help to get treatment locally and overseas.
Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) accounted for most of the persons assisted, 202 or 51 percent.
The numbers from the other Regions were Region One (Barima/Waini) one, Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) nine, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) 43, Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) 13; Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) 26, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) five and Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) nine.
Thirty-eight children were also beneficiaries of the aid for cardiac diagnostic and interventional treatment, end stage renal disease, cancer, eye diseases and other PPP/H services, among them the provision of hearing aids and artificial limbs.
Ramsammy said the overall expenditure on such treatment amounted to $185.2M in 2010, a subsidized cost, because almost half of the services were delivered in Guyana and they are supported by the Government in order to keep expenses down.
He explained that, prior to the early 1990s, financial aid for medical treatment was not included as a routine line item in the National Budget and the only persons who benefitted would have been Government functionaries and their families.
But, since then, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has added it as a permanent feature in the Health Ministry allocation and, from 2001, it has increased significantly, Ramsammy said.
He said obtaining medical services for diseases and conditions that were once considered unavailable for the vast majority of Guyanese is now recognised as a fundamental human rights issue and not the privilege of a few.
“Guyana is achieving equity in health and it is a remarkable achievement as we try to reduce and eliminate poverty,” Ramsammy remarked.