Georgetown : Citizens can now expect better quality health care along with better services at public health facilities, as the Ministry of Public Health received a whopping $28B allocation, in the 2016 National Budget.
This money will be spent on the general upgrade of several health care facilities countrywide, along with addressing some priority areas of the Ministry of Public Health. These include maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, the present threat of the H1N1 and Zika viruses, drug procurement and suicide among others.
This allocation will see over $6.5 billion going towards the procurement of drugs and related consumable medical supplies, to address the expanding range of services and coverage being provided to citizens countrywide.
The rising incidence of suicide is cause for alarm. Recognising this, a multi-stakeholder approach will be taken which will see the commencement of a commission of inquiry and the development of an emergency suicide prevention action plan.
This plan will entail the gathering of data to establish a baseline for monitoring and evaluation. Data collection and research will include gathering epidemiological data, demographic information, and research on driving factors contributing to designated rates per region. In addition, an analysis will be done at the regional and national level, including maps and profiles for targeted interventions.
This plan will require training for secondary school teachers and students, to allow them to be able to identify signs of suicide. Further, preparatory work has been advanced for the introduction of a psychiatry programme at the University of Guyana.
In addition, a mental health secretariat will be established to offer training and services to both professionals, and those seeking mental health services.
The sum of $1.9 billion has been proposed for the upgrade of several health care facilities; including mobilisation for the construction of thespecialty surgical hospital at Liliendaal; a ten-bed cardiac theatre and intensive care unit at the GPHC; various works at hospitals at Port Kaituma, Kwakwani and Linden; and diagnostic centres at Diamond and Leonora. In 2015, over $770 million was spent on the construction, upgrade, expansion and maintenance of health care facilities nationwide.
During his Budget presentation, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan stated that, “prioritising investments in health is a key input towards achieving human resource productivity, an essential element for sustainable development. In affirming Government’s commitment to ensure that Guyanese are among the healthiest in the Caribbean and the Americas, strategic investments will be made in the health sector as it embarks on implementing Health Vision 2020.
Over $1 billion will be spent on the purchase and maintenance of medical equipment. Preparatory works will also begin on the modernisation of primary health care facilities at Bartica, Suddie and West Demerara Regional Hospitals, funding for which will be sourced from India.
Further, over $89 million is earmarked for the expansion of the GPHC’s maternity unit.
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