HEALTH sector systems, expressly for medical supplies, must exact a higher degree of vigilance and accountability.
Against that premise, under the Health Ministry’s directive, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA) are soon to implement enhanced procedures and pilot projects are also expected to be used as models for other care institutions countrywide.
The policy was outlined by GPHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Michael Khan, who said his institution is to enhance the existing process following a meeting of stakeholders this week.
He said what exists now is functioning but the main concern is not to have shortages and create something better.
To do likewise at the other institutions, Khan said GPHC will support the implementation but he acknowledged that the major challenge would be training and said, once that is addressed, the innovation should work.
He observed that communication is key to ensuring efficient functioning of anything new.
In invited comments, too, CEO of BRHA, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo said similar improvements are being targeted there.
“We have ongoing training for pharmacy assistants and they will be adding to the effectiveness of the supply system,” he said.
Mahadeo said, if human resources are in place, BRHA will be in a stronger position to enforce a number of things with regard to reporting, managing supplies and, in particular, address expiration of drugs and better patient response.
He said BRHA is a good model to be emulated and Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) is in an ideal setting to act as a pilot for other health institutions as it spawns coastal and hinterland areas.
“If a system works in this Region, chances are that, with some tailoring, it can work everywhere,” Mahadeo posited.
He said BRHA has piloted many Health Ministry projects and is well prepared to do similarly in future.
Mahadeo revealed that, two Wednesdays ago, a workshop was conducted to address the development of a national logistics management information system (LMIS) that is to strengthen the supply chain, optimise management processes and identify critical indicators for reporting and evidence based decision making.
He said the LMIS development was undertaken in collaboration with the Health Ministry and United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).