The Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven) Health Sector is likely to see some impressive changes this year, including the placement of doctors in some communities for the first time.

Dr. Edward Sagala, the Regional Health Officer, said that persons are already benefitting from some of the initiatives.

As of the beginning of 2018, there were 24 resident doctors, including seven specialists, throughout the region. These included an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, an obstetrician, gynaecologist and a cardiologist.

Four additional doctors will be added to this compliment before the end of the year.

“Two communities, Isseneru and Philipai, will have doctors for the first time. Also, we will be placing a doctor in Kaikan and Chinoweng,” the RHO said.

There has been a thirty percent reduction in referrals from the region to health facilities on the coast, an improvement which was well received.

The aim from the beginning of the year was to “reduce total referrals by fifty percent but we are at thirty percent,” the RHO said.

He added that this is commendable, thanks to the presence of resident doctors in the Region.

Every aspect of the region’s health system is likely to be positively affected by these and other interventions. Sagala spoke of the upgrade of the Bartica Regional Hospital which is expected to come on stream shortly.

“Bartica Hospital is going to undergo a modernisation which will allow much-needed service delivery for Bartica but also riverine areas.”

The modernisation is as a result of a loan from the Indian government to upgrade selected health facilities in Guyana. Further, the region’s Health budget caters for an overall renewal of primary health care services.

Residents of far-flung communities will be able to access critical services and health centres, eliminating the need to travel to Bartica.

There have been discussions about establishing dental, physiotherapy, sexual and reproductive and other services at health centres. Dr. Sagala said this process will be a multi-year initiative.

“I can safely say we are on track, especially with the purchasing of medical equipment, the rehabilitation and refurbishment of infrastructure for doctors, nurses, community health workers and accommodation for medex and also the health centres and health posts that need to be rehabilitated.”

Source: DPI