…patients feel at home and cost for treatment amazingly low
THE establishment of the Doobay Dialysis Centre has brought about a rich mix of a public/private partnership between the centre and the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) and both institutions will benefit tremendously in the long run.
This is according to Health Minister Dr.Bheri Ramsaran, when he visited the hospital at Annandale on the East Coast of Demerara yesterday.
He noted that already nurses attached to the GPH have been sent to the dialysis centre to undergo training which will be needed when the public hospital’s dialysis unit is up and running.
The minister has lauded the initiative, and said the centre not only benefits the locals, but also treats foreigners who are in need of the treatment.
Ramsaran pointed out that the centre has been recognized for its excellent services, and it has reached international standards.
The minister explained that many patients who need dialysis treatment are sent from the GPH to the centre.
He added too that the government of Guyana has been providing part payment for patients at the centre who circumstances make it difficult for them to pay the bills.
Meanwhile the Dialysis Centre says that its aim is to create a more patient personalised environment.
Patients at the centre have expressed satisfaction with the services being offered.
Former Commissioner of Police and patient at the centre, Laurie Lewis, said he is quite pleased with the services.
He is happy that a doctor is always there to look at patients and the nurses are friendly and efficient, and they make patients feel at home.
The centre, which was commissioned last September was built at a cost of $25 million, with a mandate to provide dialysis to persons at an affordable cost.
The centre has brought the cost down to the amazingly low figure of US$75 or G$15,000 per dialysis session.
The registered non-profit organisation, pioneered by Dr. Ram Doobay, Vic Oudit and others, is a collaboration among Canadian and Guyanese organisations and people who have made generous donations.