GPHC Out-Patient Rehabilitation Unit opens
THE Ministry of Health formally opened the Out-Patient Rehabilitation Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday, as part of the Rehabilitation Week 2012 programme, Superintendent of the Physiotherapy Department of the Ministry, Ms. Debita Harripersaud, said at the opening ceremony that, over the years, rehabilitation in Guyana has been rapidly expanding, and this has seen many more services being offered to those persons in need.
She said that in the past 60 years, rehabilitation has made tremendous strides, and has now been expanded to the 10 administrative regions across Guyana.
Ms Harripersaud said the delivery has moved from just physiotherapy to speech, occupational and audiology therapy, among other areas. She said that among the services, physiotherapy has especially been the most important in the health sector, but the necessity for others has been recognised.
Ms Harripersaud said Government has since been working with various organisations, and has managed to implement those much-needed services to ensure equity in health care.
“Rehab services have been important over the six decades, with physiotherapy being the most important in 35 years,” Ms Harripersaud said.
Step closer
She said that, with the establishment of the out-patient rehabilitative facility, Guyana is one step closer to its national goal in the health sector, which is to assure that all citizens are benefiting from quality care.
Ms Harripersaud said this etches another milestone for Guyana. “We can now offer rehabilitation services under one umbrella.”
Rehabilitation is one of the seven main services being offered by the Health Ministry, and is guided by the National Rehabilitation Strategy 2012-2013.
She said it is also aligned with the Disability Act of 2012, and sets out the provisions.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPHC, Mr. Michael Khan, who also addressed the gathering, congratulated the Health Ministry on the work it has been doing in this regard.
“I want to congratulate them for celebrating the 10th year of Rehabilitation Week, and also for the successful opening of the out-patient facility,” he said.
He said this will enhance the services being offered in rehabilitation, and would work towards the betterment of the health sector in Guyana.
The Health Ministry, on Monday, June 25, began the official observation of Rehabilitation Week 2012, under the theme ‘Early detection and continuous treatment make a difference.’
The week is aimed at promoting the value and importance of rehabilitation, while saluting the professionals who provide these services.
With rehabilitation services now being offered in the hinterland, the Ministry said there will be activities in all the administrative regions.
Rehabilitation Week was first observed in June 2003, when it was then themed ‘Reaching out’.