-Jagdeo says, reiterates government’s overarching plans to improve health sector

HIGHLIGHTING the government’s overarching plans to improve the delivery of healthcare across the country, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has disclosed that some $30 million will be expended to upgrade the regional hospitals in Bartica, Region Seven and Linden, Region 10.

“We said we’re currently building 12 hospitals and we have to upgrade and replace some of the existing ones. So, Bartica, Linden, they would see a $30 million upgrade,” he said last Thursday at a news conference.

He further defended the government’s decision to replace the existing West Demerara Regional Hospital with a new modern state-of-the-art facility.

“It’s wooden; it’s falling apart. You heard what we’ve said before. It’s not off the top of the president’s head that he made this announcement,” Dr. Jagdeo said.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali had announced persons would soon be invited to tender for the contract to build a new state-of-the-art Hospital to replace the existing West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three.

While a new facility will be constructed, Dr. Ali had also pointed out that the government has made significant strides to improve the services at the existing regional hospital.

According to statistics provided by the Head of State, in the first four months of 2024, the hospital conducted some 585 surgeries.

He said this is a massive achievement compared to the year 2021 when the hospital only had the capacity to conduct just about 16 surgeries during the same time frame.

He pointed out too that referrals from the West Demerara Regional Hospital to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (the country’s main referral health facility) declined by 100 per cent.
Dr. Jagdeo had previously outlined the government’s master plan to transform the health sector. He stated that 12 new facilities are being constructed, while some existing ones are being rehabilitated.

He stated that the initiative was an integral component of the government’s manifesto plans, whereby the proceeds from oil and gas will be utilised for the advancement of infrastructure, healthcare, education, support for vulnerable groups, and other sectors.

Out of the 12 upcoming hospitals, six of them will be replacement facilities.

A new hospital is being constructed by the government in Region Six, specifically at No. 75 Village. The objective of this project is to replace the existing Skeldon Hospital and enhance the range of services available to the community.

Additionally, the construction of new hospitals at Anna Regina, Region Two; De Kinderen, Region Three; Diamond and Enmore, Region Four; Bath, Region Five, and Skeldon Region Six, is in progress.