–puts doctor on duty at every health centre

THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC)’s Regional Health Department under its Regional Health Officer, Dr. Quincy Jones has achieved an unprecedented medical first in Guyana.
The feat at reference is having at least one doctor stationed at each of the 31 health centres in Region Four.

Said an elated Dr. Jones, “We are proud to announce that we are the only region in Guyana that has been able to acquire a doctor for every health centre within the region.”
He disclosed that in toto, the region currently boasts 43 doctors, which is the first something of this nature has been accomplished in the history of Guyana.

“We are very proud of this, and as the RHO,” Dr Jones said, “I am sure that all can imagine my excitement and satisfaction that each and every health centre, from Cane Grove on the East Coast to St Cuthbert’s Mission on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway has at least a medical doctor there. “It simply means that patients can be assured of enhanced medical attention and care from their respective health centres.”

He said that now that every health centre has a medical doctor on board, the workload at the two regional hospitals, namely the CC Nicolson at Golden Grove-Nabaclis on the East Coast, and Diamond on the East Bank, can be significantly be reduced.

“We are beginning to see that because the health centres have a doctor, the workload at these two hospitals are reducing, as people no longer have to go to the hospital  for every little thing; they can now access healthcare much faster, and in some cases in a more efficient way from their respective health centres,” Dr Jones said.

He said that while the health department is celebrating this major feat, he and his team are eternally grateful to the hardworking Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ms Pauline Lucas who led the fight in ensuring that each health centre has a doctor.

WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT
“When I spoke to the REO of paving the way for a doctor to be assigned to every health centre, she didn’t only like the idea but wholeheartedly supported the initiative,” Dr Jones said, adding:

“She supported it to the point where she aggressively and consistently fought to have it achieved. Aided by the endorsement and acknowledgment of the Regional Health Services (RHS), we were able to achieve this.”

The REO, on the other hand, was high in praise for her RHO, who she commended for having achieved what he set out to do.
She said that the numerous achievements and successes in the Health Department are as a result of the cohesion and teamwork exhibited by Dr Jones and the rest of her administrative staff. “We have an excellent working relationship,” Ms Lucas said, “and with excellent working relationships comes enormous success.

“So the achievement of having a doctor at every health centre is not only being celebrated by the Regional Health Officer and his team only, but by everyone within Region Four, as all stand to benefit directly and or indirectly from this.”

Ms Lucas said what this achievement means in essence is that someone in Cane Grove or Mahaica doesn’t have to travel all the way to Georgetown for certain medical attention, and neither does someone at Long Creek or Soesdyke have to go all the way to Diamond, as the requisite services are right at their health centres.

“I, therefore, would like to urge the public to make more use of their respective health centres,” she said, “as in many cases, the services that they seek at hospitals can be sourced right at their community health centre.”
Dr Jones declared that this is part of a more holistic plan to deliver enhanced healthcare to those within Region Four.

Said he: “I am confident that with more people being able to access their health centres within their community, we would see a better image of healthcare being disseminated in Guyana, as the public would soon realise that we have the competent, qualified and skilled people to deliver the level of health care needed.”