WHILE Guyana has been able to make real and meaningful transformation in its health sector, it is the wish of departing Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Beverly Barnett, that it will achieve an even higher rating for its health care services.

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle in the Conference Room of Sleep Inn Hotel on Brickdam, Georgetown, Tuesday evening, she spoke of her expectations and where she hopes to see this country.
The diplomat said it is her hope that Guyana moves to the place where its situation analysts and new health vision 2020 wants to take it.
She said, in those plans, there are a lot of aspects which will address equity, human rights and universal health coverage and these will be attained once there is continued collaboration.
Barnett lauded the work of the Guyana Government for introducing various levels of health care and facilities across the country and the move to establish community health workers and other levels of care providers, especially within outlying areas.
According to her, the improvement of the local health care system has seen progress and there are continued moves, by the Government of Guyana and the Health Ministry to ensure that there is quality health care.
She posited that there is a difference between health care and “quality” health care and pointed out that PAHO/WHO has also noticed the strides in the Administration, through the Health Ministry, trying to ensure that there is that drive to take it as close as possible to all levels of the population.
Its transformation
Barnett said, since she came to Guyana, she has played a role in a number of areas within the health sector that has added to its transformation. However those achievements were made possible with the help of other agencies which work along with the United Nations (UN) and some non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Among the successes she identified are the fight against HIV, with the HIV drug resistant survey system; development of the national health strategy which is also called the health vision 2020; review of the package of publicly guaranteed health services and the bringing to the fore the issue of tobacco prevention and control which saw Guyana becoming a signatory to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Barnett said PAHO/WHO also gave technical support in the drafting of the tobacco legislation which is now with the Attorney General for review.
She expressed confidence that PAHO/WHO has heightened the awareness of certain very critical matters within the health sector, including the social issues of health and the human rights associated with administration.
The very pleasant personality of Barnett will no longer be a fixture at local events after serving here as PAHO/WHO Country Representative since October 2010.
In a few days, she leaves for Washington, D.C., where she will complete her final year of work for PAHO.