…following intense grilling of Minister Dr. Ramsarran
THE current and capital estimates of expenditure for the Ministry of Health were passed yesterday by the National Assembly, after coming under intense scrutiny by the parliamentary Opposition parties. In the second day of the Consideration of the 2012 Estimates of Expenditure in the Committee of Supply, Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsarran was questioned about areas regarding the provisions for his ministry, and spending budgeted for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
The $192.8B national budget, the largest ever in the country’s history, was presented more than two weeks ago by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, under the theme ‘Remaining on Course, United in Purpose’.
Government has allocated over $16.9B to continue the modernisation of the health sector and to consolidate on the gains made over the past decade.
There were many questions thrown by the Opposition, including increased expenditure for security, training, contracted workers, and purchasing of vehicles and boats, equipment, and upgrading of facilities.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Dr. George Norton grilled Minister Ramsarran about the budgeted $25M for security this year, an increase of some $14M.
Ramsarran said there are several locations where they provide security and that figure was derived through a tendering process. He noted that the hospital has taken on responsibility for other facilities such as the Kitty Health Centre, Industry Health Centre, the Enmore Polyclinic and the Campbelville Health Centre, and also residences for the Chinese medical team.
Asked about an increase of $6M for training, Dr. Ramsarran said the GPHC has expanded its training programmes, especially in the area of specialized nursing and the post-graduate programmes for doctors, and shortly they will be introducing the neo-natal intensive care programme for this year. For training, there is an increase from $12.201M in 2011 to $18M this year.
Referring to questions asked by APNU MP, Annette Ferguson, about the procedure that will be used to acquire the cost for laundry washer and a mortuary freezer for the GPHC, he said these are two vital pieces of equipment that need to be replaced.
Being further grilled on this, he said it is estimated that the laundry washer will cost about $37M and the mortuary freezer $30M.
As for the $5M for training, Dr. Ramsarran said it entails training of administrative personnel and more workshops, particularly since they are concerned with the weakness in managerial capacity at certain levels.
Asked by the Alliance for Change (AFC) MP, Valerie Garrido-Lowe if training is included for the hinterland locations, the Health Minister answered in the affirmative, explaining that sometimes they will bring people out for workshops or personnel from the coast will go to hinterland areas for workshops.
Also, alluding to a question about an $8M increase in electricity charges as against last year’s budgeted amount, he said this is mainly because they are hoping to commission a new modern updated warehouse in Diamond, on the East Bank of Demerara, to better store drugs and medication.
Dr. Ramsarran disclosed that a specialized refrigerated truck will be purchased for the Materials Management Unit to transport medications under controlled temperature to various locations.
APNU MP, Sydney Allicock asked about construction of drugs and alcohol facilities and Dr. Ramsarran said currently they are expanding their services to certain vulnerable groups, including persons who would have fallen victim to substance abuse, including alcohol, and the ministry has two buildings at the Mahaica Hospital Compound and the Linden Hospital Complex Compound. These are to be upgraded to allow such patients to be managed there on an in-patient basis.
He was also questioned about subsidies and contributions to local organisations under Disease Control, for which $9.270M has been budgeted.
Also, in answering questions, he said upgrading will be done at the National Psychiatric Hospital Compound, including landscaping and improving the drainage.
Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) will also benefit from the purchase of boats, the Minister of Health said.
Ramsarran said the stipend for Cuban doctors and nurses attached to the diagnostic and treatment centres have been increased.
There is also going to be some additional training in the area of dentistry and more emphasis will be placed on oral health care. Last year, the first five dental surgeons trained here graduated, and they will be involved in outreaches to schools and other facilities.