Georgetown, President Dr. Irfaan Ali revealed major changes for the primary healthcare sector come next year. This was announced Saturday at the handing over ceremony of the Dr Yesu Persaud Clinical Education Centre to the Government of Guyana.
During his feature address, the Head of State highlighted the importance of research and development and public-private partnerships in an enabling environment for the further development of the health sector.
“We have to fix primary healthcare and to fix that we have to invest in community healthcare. You will see in the next budget that we are going to create a new programme for Research and Development at the primary healthcare level.”
President Ali noted that while the human potential of the country is “mind blowing,” 75% of highly-skilled people are underutilised.
“We have to put that skill to work. We have a primary healthcare problem and we are going to fix it. We want to fix it together with the practitioners… with the university.”
The president also announced that in partnership with the India government, our health sector would soon benefit from an investment of US$17M.
“That is why I’m happy the Indian High Commissioner [K.J Srinivasa] is here. Through a US$17 million investment programme very soon we will commence the modernisation and expansion of the Suddie, West Demerara and Bartica hospitals.”
While he acknowledged the hard working medical professionals, he also pointed to inefficiencies in the healthcare systems, which he said that the Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony is currently reviewing.
In addition, he said that resources have been set aside for the upgrading of many district hospitals including Lethem, Paramakatoi, Diamond, Leonora and Linden.
To complement these efforts, the President called for a collective shift in mindset, which will result in progression together.
The Head of State also acknowledged the hard work of the medical fraternity during the pandemic.
“I will be the first to admit to you that you deserve more, you deserve better. But also, will be the first to tell you that we are a growing economy. We just had an emergency budget. And your President’s commitment and your Government’s commitment is that you will get more and you will get better. Just give us the time.”
The Head of State also stressed the importance of public-private partnerships and highlighted Government’s moves such as giving corporate tax breaks on private education, healthcare and health services. This, he said, is only the beginning since there is a need to integrate private healthcare with national healthcare.
The Dr Yesu Persaud Clinical Education Partnership was a Private-Public Partnership that saw the contribution of $30M from the Government and $215M from the Dr Yesu Persaud Foundation.
The Head of State also stressed that there is a need to create a level playing field where access to healthcare is not affected by economic barriers. He noted that technology modernisation is paramount.
Currently, the Government is in discussion with the Indian High Commission to have an electronic medical records system that chronicles medical data for every citizen from birth to death.
“We are working with the Indian government in creating the first Regional Centre of Excellence at the University of Guyana with the IT centre there. We are going to have a Regional Centre of Excellence for all of CARICOM training and all of CARICOM specialised IT needs,” President Ali added.
The Dr Yesu Persaud Education Centre will have the capacity to facilitate learning for approximately 300 students at any given time.
Also giving remarks at the ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony hailed Persaud and his efforts in having the new building constructed. He said he was pleased and happy to know that the Institute of Health Science of the University of Guyana will have a new home.
Dr Anthony also noted that since post graduate training started at UG and the GPHC, 144 doctors in various specialities have been trained. Another 138 is currently in training.
According to Dr Anthony, the new facility will allow for the expansion of current post graduate training and provide the institution with better accommodation for simulation labs and other modern teaching aids.
Dr Persaud was hailed by both President Ali and Dr Anthony for his sterling contributions to Guyana.
Dr Persaud noted that “there is nothing like doing things and helping those who can’t.” He stressed that his motto has always been “helping those who can’t help themselves”.
“Our biggest problem in Guyana is that we can’t keep our people in… We have to do things to keep them in. If we can get our people together and to work together this could be a nation of great prosperity and togetherness.”
Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, PhD, along with Dr Marissa Parris, Resident in a post graduate programme and medical student, Jamain Hatton also gave brief remarks.
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