-paving way for better services at health centres

THE Ministry of Public Health has granted certified licences to approximately 22 health facilities in Guyana. This was done at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) on Friday, March 22, 2019.

Present were Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, members of Central Board of Health (CBH) and practitioners from health facilities in different regions.

This initiative applies to both public and private facilities recommended by the CBH in 2018. Prior to certificates being awarded, practitioners were required to undergo inspections to determine whether they met the requirements cited by the CBH. Currently, inspections are being done on the 26 other health facilities that are also awaiting licences.

The inspection is being conducted in areas such as sanitation, waste management, records maintenance, competency training of workers and quality management. The licensed facilities include optical centres, dialysis centres, public and private hospitals, resident homes, medical centres, surgery centres, therapy centres and radiation centres.

According to Dr. Persaud, a licensing act is now in place, which provides for practitioners in the medical field, allied health professionals, pharmacists, and dentists, among other assistant professionals to be licensed. These licences need to be renewed in the first month of every year.

“For the past two years, the compliance has been quite adequate by both the private and public health systems. Some complex challenges are to make sure we have the capacity to deal with major issues such as radio-therapy” he stressed.

He also noted that the Pan America Health Organisation (PAHO) has aided with specialised directives in the areas of these technical services to ensure adequacy and conformity.

In his charge to the practitioners, he emphasised the need to improve and sustain acceptable standards of health. He mentioned the dilemma that the health system faces to meet the needs of such an immense population.

Dr. Persaud also told the gathering that most facilities come with a list of services that they offer and he wishes to see these institutions comply with the minimum standards set out by the administration.

It was underlined that not all the facilities are licensed to offer every service. One health service provider may be licensed to provide services that another may not be licensed to offer. Facilities are also expected to comply with the act for termination of pregnancies among women. It was also stated that it is illegal for pregnancies above a certain gestational age to be terminated; and facilities which provide these services also have to be certified.

The CMO congratulated the practitioners and highlighted the need for further collaboration between the public and private sectors. Among those currently licensed are: the Industry Health Centre; the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA); Mercy Hospital and Resident Home; the Balwant Singh Hospital; the Victoria Health Centre; Woodlands Hospital; Mon Repos Health Centre; Lusignan Health Centre; Unity Health Centre, Mahaica Health Centre and the Ithaca Health Centre