Spanking new 25-bed luxury nursing home opened<

A NEW 25-bed luxury nursing home has been opened in the heart of Providence, on the East Bank Demerara. Demerara Paradise Inc. Nursing Home has moved its operations from Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara to the new facility.

“It’s a facility with beautiful features. We don’t want it to be too big because we want to be able to give individualised care,” Chief Executive Officer Dr. Vivakeanand Bridgemohan told the Pepperpot Magazine.
While an official ceremony is billed for some time soon, the facility has already been up and running for the past two weeks.

“The dream of the directors of Demerara Paradise is to create a homey environment, not only for the elderly, but for everyone in need of general nursing care. Our aim is to be 100 per cent ahead of all the standards for care facilities in Guyana,” Dr. Bridgemohan said. The new facility has more disability features, including ramps for wheelchair users.

The new location was chosen due to a number of considerations. “For one, the Diamond to Ogle Road is supposed to pass close by. The Princess Hotel is also close for entertainment and in the event relatives from overseas come and want to stay nearby. There is also Massy Supermarket and the stadium for more entertainment.”

“The country’s development seems to be going towards the East Bank significantly,” Dr. Bridgemohan had said, as for one of the reasons this location was chosen.
He said he felt comfortable making such a huge investment because he believes that the problem with Guyana’s economy is just temporary. “In five years’ time, I am sure it will develop regardless of which political party is in power,” he said.

Bridgemohan had previously told this publication that although many facilities in Guyana offer resident care, they are not well equipped to reach certain needs of the elderly. Hence, the idea of a hospital was created to meet such needs, and those of other persons with special needs.

Addressing a popular concern that some well-known hospitals are into exploiting the Guyanese public with their exorbitant costs and fees, Bridgemohan said: “We are not here for that purpose.” He said there is a transparent system in place at Demerara Paradise and that they are open for discussion regarding costs and so forth.

“If you look at our daily cost comparatively to what you are receiving, it’s not that expensive for the service you will be getting. We have a strong financial management team in place, including the Board of Directors. You will have an invoice of service that is provided and you can feel free on a daily basis to discuss with us if the cost is too much for you for something that you cannot afford. We are here to help you.

We can talk and discuss and we may be able to tailor a package to reach your budgetary needs because at the end of the day, we are here to help you. So if you are here and there’s something too expensive for you, we are open to meet with the families at any point to discuss,” he stated.

Realistically, though, Bridgemohan said there are certain conditions that are expensive to manage.
Bridgemohan, who is the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, earned his medical degree from the Latin American School of Medicine in Cuba in June, 2010. He also served as a Medical Superintendent at the West Demerara Regional Hospital and at 10 other hospitals, in more than five regions of Guyana.

“Demerara Paradise is truly a home away from home in a medically-supervised, luxurious, safe and caring paradise. Aging parents’ declining health can be difficult to cope with, [so] you want to ensure that your parents are comfortable and well-cared for with proper health care,” he had said.