-health officials urged to collaborate, work as a team
DIRECTOR General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, has called on health professionals in Region Two to work collaboratively to further advance healthcare delivery across the region.
Dr. Mahadeo emphasised this while addressing doctors, heads of departments, and matrons at the Annual Regional Health Services Leadership Meeting hosted by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Thursday morning in the RDC Boardroom.
The meeting, which is the first for 2026, brought together senior health officials, administrators, and frontline leaders to review progress and chart the way forward for strengthening healthcare services across the region.
Delivering the feature address, Dr. Mahadeo reflected on the significant transformation of healthcare services in Region Two since 1994. He shared that he conducted the region’s very first medical outreach and expressed pride in the steady expansion and modernisation of services over the years.
He emphasised the government’s commitment to equal and equitable healthcare, stressing that every citizen must have access to the same standard of care, regardless of where they reside.
“If patients cannot come to us, then we must go to them,” he stated, underscoring the importance of medical outreaches, particularly in hinterland communities.
Dr. Mahadeo noted that in earlier years, health facilities struggled with shortages of medication and limited diagnostic capabilities. Today, however, health centres across the region, including those in remote areas, are delivering expanded and improved services.
He stressed that maintaining this progress requires strong leadership, accountability, coordination, and above all, teamwork.
The senior health ministry official reminded health leaders that under the President Irfaan Ali administration, significant national investments are being made in the health sector. As representatives of the Government of Guyana, he said officials have a responsibility to ensure that taxpayers’ funds that are allocated for medicines, reagents, and infrastructure are properly managed and accounted for.
He commended Region Two for setting high standards in healthcare delivery and urged leaders to maintain and strengthen those benchmarks.
Management committees were encouraged to identify challenges early and communicate effectively with the Regional Health Officer, Medical Superintendents, and the Regional Executive Officer.
Dr. Mahadeo also called for increased specialist outreaches to hinterland communities and assured the region’s health officials that nursing care would be available for bedridden patients.
Special commendation was extended to those attached to the Regional Dental Department and laboratory services department for their outstanding performance.
“We have to make care more friendly. Region Two has done well. Now it’s time to maintain the standard,” he said.
Regional Health Officer Ranjeev Singh emphasised the importance of collaboration among healthcare professionals, noting that teamwork leads to improved patient outcomes and stronger staff-patient relationships.
Regional Executive Officer Susanah Saywack highlighted the need for improved communication and collective responsibility, cautioning against finger-pointing and encouraging leaders to use the forum to address areas requiring improvement.
Regional Chairman Devin Mohan reminded attendees of their duty to serve in the best interest of the people.
He stressed that patient experience must remain a top priority and reaffirmed the region’s continued support for the health sector. He also said that recent visits to Charity and Lima hospitals left him impressed with the progress made in the region’s health sector.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mc Watt, Director of RITS at the Ministry of Health, described the leadership meeting as a pivotal initiative aimed at strengthening the regional healthcare model. He underscored the importance of consultation, collaboration, and building a people-centred health system guided by the Regional Health Office, while examining both achievements and gaps to improve service delivery.
The meeting featured presentations from Lima Regional Hospital, Oscar Joseph District Hospital, and Suddie Public Hospital, followed by interactive question-and-answer sessions with matrons, laboratory technologists, surveillance officers, environmental health officers, TB workers, and hospital administrators.
During the meeting, Region Two officials reaffirmed their commitment to delivering equitable, accountable, and people-centred healthcare, while strengthening partnerships among leaders and frontline professionals to ensure the continued advancement of the health sector.
