GUYANA started seriously considering upgrading its health surveillance system this past week to better detect communicable and non-communicable diseases. Once pursued, this upgrade should see data collection and analysis becoming a prominent part of planning in the health sector, and I believe the health sector and the people in need of healthcare can only benefit from that.

Before plans are examined, it is important to acknowledge the current state of the health sector vis-à-vis data-collection efforts. Last week, the Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony said that limited data-collection efforts challenge Guyana’s healthcare response.

“We don’t have a very strong and robust system of collecting that information, aggregating it so that we know exactly how many people we are treating,” Dr Anthony said at the launch of the National Health Surveillance symposium on Tuesday.

He added, “When we look at the information that we have in our cancer registry, it’s dated, and that’s because there’s no real-time collection of information. There’s a delay sometimes by months, sometimes by years, and because of that our registry is not able to give us accurate information.”

Beyond these statements, there are other ways to understand the shortcomings in data collection and use. Several days before the symposium, the Health Minister said that it is estimated that about 60,000 people live with diabetes in Guyana. That figure, he however said, could be much higher since many people avoid regular medical checkups and there is little data to assess. Similarly, with mental health, it is estimated that some 20,000 Guyanese are battling severe mental illnesses but again, Dr Anthony said the figure might be much higher with more robust data-collection efforts.

Limited data collection and outdated statistics impede much-needed efforts to improve the healthcare system. And as such, some people who need treatment would likely not receive that.

The need to know this information isn’t just for treatment purposes. It is, or should be a crucial aspect of the planning process. There is an evident push towards expanding the health infrastructure in Guyana with the creation and/or upgrading of several hospitals and health centres. With this focus, knowing how many people need care (including specialised care and specific drugs) could see stakeholders planning to respond to those needs. For example, if more people are grappling with severe mental illnesses, more funds could be budgeted for mental health care; or, if there is a larger number of people battling diabetes, then more resources can be allocated for support services.

I believe valid data that helps to inform decision-making is at the centre of such plans. We cannot ably nor adequately plan unless the data that accurately and reliably meets our needs is garnered. Take for example the distribution of drugs in Guyana too; for years, citizens listen to stories of unused and expired drugs being dumped, largely because the data system that regulates the distribution of drugs to health facilities, reportedly, has its shortcomings.

For emphasis, data and statistics are quantitative tools that are used to keep records and assist in studying and analysing occurrences and trends. They help inform decision-making, since such information provides a more credible and reliable mechanism for solving problems.

The need for more and improved data-collection systems and analysis extends (or should extend) beyond the health sector. In the education sector, for example, there are indications that population data is informing school-expansion plans. In the aftermath of devastating fires at public buildings, such as the Brickdam police station, which led to the loss of much-needed paperwork, we need to embrace data and digital technologies more.

For this column, though, I believe that ongoing plans to upgrade facilities and divert more resources to the sector are crucial for expansion efforts to be guided by what currently obtains. Constructing six new hospitals, particularly those in underserved areas, is necessary. But it is also crucial to know how many people in which areas need specific types of care; where should a maternity hospital go? Where should the cardiovascular facility go?

If you would like to connect with me to discuss COVID-19, this column, or any of my previous works, feel free to email me at vish14ragobeer@gmail.com