THE Public Health Ministry will intensify collaboration with its global partners this year to help meet critical sector needs, said Dr Karen Cummings, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health on Wednesday.

Cummings made the disclosure during talks with Dr John Arledge, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Flying Doctors of America at her Lot 1 Brickdam office.
Flying Doctors of America is currently here to undertake an upcoming medical mission to Region Nine (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo) to provide services at the various health centres and health posts in Annai, Surama, Iwokarama, and Fairview from February 23 to March 02.

The 13-member team comprises rheumatologist, emergency room doctors, family physician, paediatrician, dermatologist, orthodontist, paediatric dentist and adult dentist and will provide medical check-ups and free medications to treat specific ailments.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Dr Cummings articulated the importance of close collaboration with international agencies in order to meet the health needs of Guyanese, especially those in the outlying areas where specialist care might not be readily available.

“We want to work with you as much as you want to work with us as well, so it’s a real partnership. We want our needs to be met. We need to clarify logistics so both parties can gain,” the minister said in the presence of her team which included Dr Karen Boyle, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO); Dr Ineka McKenzie, Deputy Director, Regional Health Services (RHS) and Denroy Tudor, Coordinator, International Desk.

Dr Cummings wants earlier engagements between international agencies and the RHS to determine the priority areas where specialist services and care are more needed.
“We will want to make use of all the good best practices that can be shared because Guyana is a developing country and different skill sets are needed,” she said.

The need for capacity-building in the health sector is high on the ministry’s agenda, Cummings said, emphasising the current need for foreign specialists, especially in the country’s sprawling interior.

Arledge said he is anticipating “a successful mission” and assured Dr Cummings that his team will return in 2019 to offer similar services based on the ministry’s recommendations.
He said although his other mission for 2018 includes Panama Mission, St Vincent/ Caribbean Mission, Peru Mission, Jordon Mission (Syria Refugee Camps), he is optimistic that Guyana’s mission will not post a challenge as the others, especially since it is an English- speaking country, which will make it easier for the doctors to communicate with patients.

Meanwhile, Dr Boyle thanked the Flying Doctors of America for choosing Guyana and making it a part of its 2018 medical missions.
The visiting dermatologist is expected to visit the Skin Clinic at the Palms Geriatric Institution, Brickdam, Georgetown, to assess the institutional needs and create links for future partnerships.

Flying Doctors of America was developed some 28 years ago by Allan Gathercoal with the stated goal of bringing together physicians, dentists, nurses, chiropractors, and other health professionals and non-medical support volunteers to offer care for people who otherwise would never receive professional medical care.