THE Hon Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, on Wednesday encouraged health workers of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to work on the gaps prevailing within the health care system as she urged them to maintain focus on the corporation’s vision.

This was noted at the declaration of results for the Healthcare competition and unveiling of a commemorative plaque to honour the achievements of outstanding primary health care service providers in Guyana at the GPHC parking lot.

This is in light of the corporation’s 20th anniversary which is being celebrated under the theme, “Striving for Excellence in health care delivery.” Present at the event was Minister of Health, the Hon Volda Lawrence; Quality Improvement Manager, Ms. Leslyn Holder, and GPHC’S Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brigadier (ret’d) George Lewis, among other staff of the GPHC.

Minister Volda Lawrence expressed her sincere gratitude to the GPHC and the health care workers. She noted that despite the many challenges the organisation has been facing over the years, with perseverance and hard work they have been able to overcome obstacles and provide adequate health care to the Guyanese population.

“Even as you take cognisance of your achievements, it always good at these times to note the gaps and deficiencies so that we can [be] better able to address them as we move forward. Some people may say that we have a lot of deficiencies, while some may say that the gaps are so wide; but all things are possible if we believe. If we do we wouldn’t just be able to address the deficiencies, but find the pathway to overcome them.”

She also noted that Guyana is on the highway of being one of the leading primary health care providers in the world, having completed 75% of the recommendations on the international board of healthcare recommendations. The minister stressed that 2020 will be a year for greater accomplishments, with aims of meeting goals and being the best. A plaque in commemoration of the celebration was unveiled by the minister; the plaque was constructed by staff of the hospital and has the GPHC logo inscribed on it.

According to CEO Mr. Lewis, the public plays a great role in the kind of service received in the healthcare system. Said he, “While workers are required to treat patients with care and kindness, patients are also expected to respect health care professionals, he asserted. The CEO also stated that management aims to address systemic issues which encompasses regular inspections, health care practices and relationships through customer-care training.
The results for the Healthcare competition were declared by Ms. Holder. She noted during her presentation that the roles of nurses and doctors are uniquely demanding and as such, they all have the responsibility to make the moment memorable.

The competition was held in three categories: Best Work, Best Clinic and Best Health Centre. She highlighted that the participants had to meet the criteria to be considered a winner. These criteria included interviews and inspections, Charting, and processes such as Safety, Kindness and Leadership.

Copping first place in Best Health Centre was the Kitty Health Centre, followed by the Campbellville Health Centre, Industry Health Centre and the Enmore Polyclinic, which gained first, second and third place runners- up respectively. In the Best Clinic category, the Oncology Department gained first place, while Accident and Emergency got first runner-up. The Cardiology Department and Diabetic Foot Centre were second and third runner-up respectively. For excellence in Best Work, the Paediatric Health Department copped first place, while the Adult Intensive Care Unit, the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and the Maternity Health Department Unit gained third, second and first runners- up. The winners will receive plaques, while the other participants will receive certificates of participation. Over the next two weeks, activities are expected to continue to celebrate the GPHC’S 20th anniversary!