— President Ali says, cautions that any officer flouting new SOPs will be sent home

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that a single, centralised system for managing pharmaceuticals and medical supplies across Guyana’s public health sector will become the only platform in operation from 1 July, as Government moves to tighten accountability, cut wastage and guarantee drug availability countrywide.
Speaking at a meeting with health officials on Monday, the Head of State said the new Materials Management Unit (MMU) dashboard system is already live, but from next month all parallel arrangements will be scrapped.
“On the first of July, every other system will be collapsed out of operation, and this will be the only system in operation from the first of July,” the President said.
He stressed that the State has made “enormous investments” in medical services, customer care, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, and that the new system is designed to ensure the public sees the benefit of that spending through consistent access to medicines and better service.
“We have invested heavily in medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, and there is no reason why any health centre should not have about 90 per cent availability every single day of the year,” the president said.

ONE UNIFIED PLATFORM, STRICT SOPS
According to the President, the MMU-run platform is built around clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing procurement, stock management and emergency purchasing. Regional Health Officers (RHOs), hospital administrators and other senior officials will be held directly accountable for adhering to the new procedures.
“We’ve invested in a system now at the MMU that has clear SOPs, and all the regional health officers, the hospitals, administrators, you’ll be held accountable based on that system. Anybody who work outside of that system, outside of the SOPs in that system, you will be sent home,” he warned.

The system is configured as a dashboard that allows officials to see what is available across the network of facilities in real time and to plan accordingly.
“The system is designed as a dashboard, so that you can see what is available,” he said.
He warned that any official working outside the established MMU framework and its SOPs will face removal.

CUTTING LOSSES BELOW INDUSTRY STANDARDS
A key objective of the new platform is to reduce losses from expiration, damage and overstocking to levels below accepted international benchmarks. Dr. Ali acknowledged that some items, such as anti-venom, must be stocked even if usage is low, but insisted the system is built to constrain unnecessary accumulation and wastage.
“Our goal in this new system is to minimize loss through exploration, damage, and overstocking to minimize it to below industry standard. We know there are certain things that you can’t avoid stocking,” he added.
The MMU will work with regional health services to monitor stock patterns, use the dashboard data to anticipate needs, and avoid both shortages and costly surpluses.

TRAINING AND IT SUPPORT IN EVERY REGION
The President disclosed that training on the new system is ongoing in several regions, and that Government will ensure each region has adequate IT support staff assigned to keep the platform functioning smoothly.
“Currently, they are completing training in some regions… In every single region, we have to have the IT support staff assigned.”
He also signalled that some changes in regional health leadership are under consideration to match the demands of the reformed system, with discussions and appointments now under way.

SECTOR-WIDE REACH, TRANSPARENCY AND TRUST
Dr. Ali emphasised that the MMU dashboard will not be limited to the Ministry of Health’s internal operations but will extend across the entire health ecosystem, including the Georgetown Public Hospital and regional hospitals.
Beyond stock control, he framed the reform as part of a wider push for transparency, efficiency and public trust in the healthcare system.
“We are building a world-class healthcare system… by the way we manage, by our level of transparency and accountability,” President Ali added.
Linking the back-end reforms to the patient experience, the President reiterated that investments in infrastructure and supplies must translate into better service at health centres, from waiting areas and washrooms to the way staff interact with patients.
“Quality healthcare is about customer service, patient management, assertive management, it’s not only the medical, the hardcore medical component,” he stressed.