ARTICLE 24 of the Constitution of Guyana states: “Every citizen has the right to free medical attention and also to social care in the case of old age and disability.” That, of course, includes Guyanese who reside in the country’s vast hinterland.
In this regard, government’s stated commitment to closing the gap between the standard of living of hinterland residents and that of persons on the coast, is being made evident by the programmes and policy initiatives of the administration.
Addressing the need for medical infrastructure, last week government announced the awarding of a $41 million contract to build a state-of-the-art surgical operating theatre at the Suddie Hospital in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region. This week, government has publicised a programme which pertains to the other side of the coin: the need for medical personnel in hinterland communities.
The APNU+AFC administration has revealed that 21 persons from the Barima-Waini region are now part of a six-month training programme that will qualify them to be Community Health Workers (CHWs). The training is the product of collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health and the Barima-Waini Regional Democratic Council. Those CHWs, after training, will significantly improve the capacity of the region’s 47 health posts where they will be deployed.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings has said that the goal of the programme is to have at least two CHWs at each healthpost countrywide. Dr. Cummings said too, “The healthcare worker’s role is pivotal in these vulnerable communities. As you are from this community the delivery of healthcare service will be optimised and culturally appropriate; and will help the patients and community members to buy in the necessary treatment.” Alluding to the needs and realities of that particular region, the minister added, “The Barima-Waini region has not been doing so well as it relates to maternal and neonatal care, hence this training which includes healthcare workers from the three sub-regions is commendable.”
The training of CHWs in the Barima-Waini region, which commenced on Monday, October 22, follows a similar programme in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region which graduated its first batch of trained CHWs in April. Those graduates are now serving residents of Guyana’s southern-most region, having been stationed at the various healthcare facilities in the Rupununi area.
Government’s commitment to honouring the constitutional right of citizens was emphasised by President David Granger in April during his delivery of the feature address at the opening of the inaugural Health Exposition at the Sophia Exhibition Site. The president iterated, “It is enshrined in the Guyana constitution that all citizens are entitled to free medical attention.”
He added, “When we speak of a good life, we speak of universal access to inclusive and quality healthcare. Universal access to public health coverage is a condition or a situation to which everyone could receive the public health services they need without incurring financial distress.”
Alluding to his administration’s policy, His Excellency stated that, “The Government of Guyana is aiming to realise a state of affairs that ensures that citizens do not travel more than five kilometres in any direction to access primary healthcare. . . you should not have to leave your region for any form of medical attention.” He added that, Guyana’s health objectives are focused on three priorities: provision of universal access to healthcare; promotion of universal primary healthcare; and emphasis on preventative healthcare.
While the President made clear that government will follow through on its commitment, he pointed out that citizens must do their part in protecting their own health. He emphasised that unhealthy lifestyle choices such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, eating unhealthy foods, and not exercising, make people sick. He alluded to the high economic cost associated with taking care of persons who engage in unhealthy practices.
Guyana’s constitution enshrines into our local law the right that has been recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the last 70 years, and stated in the WHO’s own constitution. The fact that the administration is now recognising and making real that human right will certainly make life easier for all Guyanese in all of Guyana’s regions.
