– chides Stabroek News for misrepresentation
THE Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Administration has indicated that rehabilitation works at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) have been on a continuous basis year after year. The administration, in a statement yesterday, said it is alarming that Stabroek News (SN), in its edition dated Saturday, March 12, 2011 attempted to mislead the public by stating that the West Demerara Regional Hospital is beset by water shortages, limited staffing and buildings badly in need of rehabilitation.

According to the acting Regional Executive Officer (REO) Mr Paul Ramrattan, the SN article is a deliberate attempt to besmirch the name of the regional administration.

Ramrattan said the hospital is set to benefit from a three-year plan (2010-2012) which was proposed in 2009.

He noted that late last year, the hospital benefited from a $43M project which entailed the complete rehabilitation of the inpatient surgical block which houses the maternity ward, two surgical theatres, and the male and female surgical wards.

Ramrattan said that another $25M project is to be undertaken very shortly and which would see the complete rehabilitation of the Male and Female Medical block. He pointed out that it was as a result of this project that equipment, patients and beds, et cetera, had to be removed to make way for the commencement of this project.

He said a further $9M would be spent this year towards the rehabilitation of the outpatient/accident emergency department.

Ramrattan also pointed out that there is no water shortage at the new block (Inpatient/ Surgical).

On the issue of staffing, Ramrattan said approval has been given to fill most of the existing vacancies.

He assured the general public that the regional administration is doing all it can to enhance working conditions and health care delivery at all medical/health institutions across the region.