The public/private sector partnership development model is increasingly gaining prominence in many countries, as this model has several advantages and benefits to individuals as well as national benefits.

One sector, in particular, that this model is highly evident in is public health care. It is increasingly apparent that health needs cannot be met through reliance on public (government) resources alone.

In fact, in many countries, less than half of the population have access to public health services. The private sector provides an alternative and complementary means of expanding health services, products and infrastructure.

However, the private sector is not a panacea. Both public and private sector actors have roles to play in addressing the complex and unique challenges faced by developing countries to develop and maintain effective health systems issues.

The public sector is responsible for providing direct goods and services to the population. In many countries, the government plays a central role in building and managing health systems, including hospitals, clinics, human resources, medical equipment, supply chains, storage facilities and general infrastructure.

The largest overall use of public health funds is allocated to human resources and nearly half of total health spending is allocated to pharmaceutical companies in some developing countries.
The government also plays a key role in health care financing, by providing insurance, subsidies and conditional cash transfer programmes. Increasingly, the management and supervision of health systems is becoming decentralized, with authority shifting from the centralized government to regional and district offices.

Governments play an important role in regulating and energizing the private sector. Regulatory mandates are necessary to monitor and maintain the quality of private sector services, but overregulation may stifle private sector growth. Regulation is also necessary for licensing or certifying health care providers, pharmacies, laboratories and pharmaceuticals. (Source: global health.org) .
In this regard, we have  seen significant growth of the private sector’s involvement in public  health care in our country in recent years, working side by side the government’s health care system and augmenting and supporting it.
One of the obvious benefits of having private hospitals is that it takes off a significant degree of pressure from the government system as those who could afford it will most likely go for services/treatment offered there. Consequently, we have seen several private hospitals and medical institutions spring up, but they are located  mainly in and around Georgetown.

So the recent commissioning of a new private hospital at Belvedere on the Corentyne Coast is a welcome addition to the family of private medical institutions in Guyana, especially because of the fact that it is located in the countryside.

The construction of the hospital, headed by Dr Ryan Anamayah, commenced  in August 2008. It is equipped with 40 beds, state-of-the-art theatres, where both major and minor surgeries could be done, and is expected to complement several services available at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, such as x-ray and pharmacy services among others.

This venture is not only a boost to health care in Berbice but is yet another demonstration and endorsement of the private sector’s confidence in the national economy and the receptive business climate here.