OPERATIONS at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) are normal again after the recent protest by nurses over issues such as sanitation and security at the institution, according to a hospital official who spoke to this publication, yesterday, under condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran said that discussions on various pressing concerns, which included the sanitation of toilet facilities at the hospital and  the problem of security at night, have been successful so far.
“We have listened to the nurses’ complaints and will start taking action very shortly to meet some of their demands,” he stated.
While these discussions were ongoing, the minister indicated that the hospital’s services were not disrupted.
Dr. Ramsaran noted that although the WDRH has been faced with issues in the past, the government is working feverishly to restore and provide proper conditions to persons who use its facilities and for staff employed there as it is the main hospital for Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
The minister said that although the Health Ministry will be working to put the hospital in a better condition, he is urging employees and persons who visit the institution for healthcare to take care in using its facilities.
Approximately six days ago, employees at the WDRH staged a sit-in protest at the institution’s compound to register their disapproval over the conditions under which they had been working.
Bearing placards, the protesters stood quietly outside the Accident and Emergency Unit awaiting the outcome of a meeting between the acting administrator, Sanjay Persaud, Region 3 Regional Executive Officer, Donald Gajraj, and a representative from the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).
According to reports, these discussions have resulted in some decisions which are expected to bring about better administration of the hospital and its employees and most importantly, improved health care for patients.