MINISTER of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, during a four-day visit to the Barima-Waini District, challenged healthcare personnel there to improve the efficiency of service delivery in the region.

Minister Lawrence said while the hospitals, health centres and health posts, in the region, are operating at acceptable standards, there is still the potential to raise the level of healthcare delivery.
Visiting the region for a period of five days (August 27-31), the Public Health Minister and her team, which included Director of Regional and Clinical Services, Dr. Kay Shako, took a hands-on approach to ensure persons in the Barima-Waini District have access to quality healthcare.

Also accompanying the high-level medical team was PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow.
The team visited the Kumaka District Hospital, Kwebanna Health Post, Mabaruma Regional Hospital, White Water Health Centre, Port Kaituma Hospital, Sebai Health Post, Pakera District Hospital and Baramita Health Centre.

Regional Health Officer (ag), Dr. Latchmie Lall, guided the visiting team, and highlighted the challenges being experienced with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). He reported that some regional health projects and programmes are delayed as a result of the RDC.
The visit to each health facility encouraged discussions and recommendations were made for improvements specific to each facility, catering to the needs of the population each serves.

Minister Lawrence emphasised that staff in the Public Health Sector play an important role in ensuring persons’ access to health services.

“The people that come through these doors, they come because they have nowhere else to go. You are their only hope, we are their only hope… the least we can do is do better,” Minister Lawrence told the healthcare workers.

In terms of infrastructural development for the sector, she noted that there is much to be done. PAHO/WHO has pledged continued support to the ministry in its efforts to ensure that health facilities in outlying areas receive the necessary attention needed for quality healthcare to be delivered.

“Whenever I come to these regions, I usually stay central and deal with the RHOs but this is the first time I’m coming out and actually seeing things. Your Minister has brought PAHO along and if there is any way your facility can benefit from PAHO’s assistance please feel free to let me know,” Dr. Adu-Krow said.

Urgent interventions needed, as identified during the visit, will be added to the region’s health budget proposal for 2020. However, there were some matters that were reviewed and rectified immediately. The health team was particularly pleased to note that there was no shortage of medical drugs and staff members were encouraged to monitor the consumption of medicines and to request new stocks promptly.

Similar visits are scheduled for other hinterland villages in Regions 2, 7, 8 and 9. Riverine communities in other regions are also being targeted.