— GPHC to get second mammography machine
GUYANA’s Public Health Sector is expected to receive a significant boost, come 2018, with Government proposing to inject some $33.3B into the sector, seven per cent more than it did in 2017.
In unveiling the 2018 National Budget in the National Assembly on Monday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said despite being faced with numerous challenges, the public health sector is making steady progress.
To complement that progress, he said Government will pump some $33.3B into the sector to ensure that the services offered are of high standards.
“In 2018, we have budgeted to spend another $33.3 billion, seven per cent more than in 2017, 12.5 per cent of Budget 2018 and 4.2 per cent of the GDP, in our quest to modernise and transform the sector. These statistics testify to the seriousness with which we view the sector and its significance in the attainment of the good life,” the finance minister told the House.
It was noted that in 2017, Government had placed significant emphasis on improving the capacity of the delivery of specialist diagnostic health services to the public.
This year, a mammography machine was purchased for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for the first time in about 20 years. For 2018, provisions have been made for the purchase of a second such machine.
“Screening for breast cancer no longer needs to be outsourced at great cost to patients, as capacity is being built for early diagnosis and treatment of this type of cancer,” the finance minister pointed out.
Added to that, the public health sector is in line to benefit from a new viral load machine, which was procured this year, to improve the Government’s capacity for HIV testing, Zika screening, and other specialist tests, some of which had to be sent overseas.
Government, through the Public Health Ministry, will also be piloting a point of care testing programme at the National Care and Treatment Centre for non-HIV sexually transmitted infections, come next year.
BUILDING HUMAN CAPACITY
In addition to placing significant emphasis on building human capacity within the health sector, special attention is also being given to the sector’s infrastructure.
Government has allocated $2.4 billion for the upgrade, maintenance and construction of health infrastructure across the country. Nearly $600M has been budgeted for the procurement of medical equipment, and over $2.2 billion has been allocated for drugs and medical supplies.
“Mr. Speaker, an investment of US$8 million, over five years, will be made to improve maternal child health. The project got underway this year. In 2018, we have budgeted to spend $150 million on activities, which include the rehabilitation of the obstetric unit in the CC Nicholson Hospital and the provision of essential obstetric and newborn care equipment for GPHC,” Minister Jordan pointed out.
It was explained that the project involves capacity building towards an eventually improved supply chain management system for health facilities.
“These initiatives and more are intended to improve the health outcomes for mothers and children, by contributing to the reduction of the maternal and infant mortality rates,” he noted.
Meanwhile, as the country ups its battle against mental illnesses, 500 health professionals are expected to be trained to better detect and treat mental illnesses. Training commenced this year and is expected to wrap up in 2018.
In an effort to improve the Public Health Ministry’s current planning systems, the Ministry of Finance piloted a Budgeting for Results Platform with the ministry, allowing for improved programme budgeting and results-based management.
As such, it is anticipated that the Public Health Ministry will be better equipped, in 2018, to develop and articulate health programmes in a manner that delivers better value for money, and is explicitly linked to results in health-related outcomes.
Additionally, in 2018, the Public Health Ministry will continue to assess the potential for a Geographic Health Information System (GHIS), which was piloted, in 2017, at seven locations.
GHIS is intended to improve data collection, allowing for the coordination and harmonisation of the various aspects of patient care towards effective resource allocation and care management.
