MINISTER of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said, Tuesday, Guyana is at the stage where the physical appearance of the sector has been transformed.
Giving a general update on rehabilitation and construction works on hospitals around the country, he said, over the years, works have been done to have health centres, as well, established in every region, at various points, thus providing better services to the people. “One of the things we are proud of is that we have completed and rebuilt, in every region,” Ramsammy affirmed.
He said, currently, the three main projects being undertaken are the new National Psychiatric Hospital (NPH), the West Demerara Hospital and the Skeldon Hospital. However, minor works will be done on several other health facilities countrywide.
The minister said ground works have already begun at the NPH to build the new acute-care mental hospital and contractors are working with a nine-month plan, which is progressing smoothly, with no setbacks, so far.
He disclosed that government has injected $113M towards further development in the health sector, that will also see rehabilitation being undertaken at the existing psychiatric hospital at Fort Canje, Berbice.
Ramsammy said the new one will be built to house approximately 200 patients, more than the present 170 being treated there, from an investment through a special allocation of $120M outside of the budget that was approved by the National Assembly.
He said the projects could be considered as another demonstration of Government’s way of supporting the susceptible.
Expressing satisfaction at the way they are being executed, Ramsammy said they point to the fact that Guyana has a bright future in the area of health.
About the new in-patient facility being added to Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), he said correct measures are in place to ensure proper usage of it. Unlike the current system, there will be an open ward for males and females, respectively, which will allow  the merging of beds if the need arises.
The new facility is expected to house some 214 beds.