$3.2B for regional health infrastructure

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVYptKrbM1M” width=”100%” height=”315″]

– Making health services more accessible

– contributing to improved healthcare delivery

DPI, Guyana, Monday, December 3, 2018

The government is investing $3.2Billion in health infrastructure in 2019. These works will be executed in several regions, more specifically those in the hinterland and far-flung areas.

Infrastructural works to be undertaken will include construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of health facilities.

Hon. Dr. Karen Cummings, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health zeroed in on this aspect of the 2019 budget for which this amount has been totalled and allocated. Minister Cummings explained that this allotment specified for health infrastructure “will surely contribute in great measure to improving the quality of public health services being offered and received within our hinterland communities.”

These funds are a part of the Ministry of Public Health’s $35.9Billion allocation and fall specifically under the ministry’s Regional Health Services Programme. Infrastructural health upgrades are among the programme’s main focus as the ministry continues to create access for adequate and equitable health care.

Reflecting on improvements within the public health sector, Minister Cummings noted that this has contributed significantly to community development and makes way for the establishment of a more integrated and comprehensive service delivery system.

The Shulinab Health Post in Region Nine underwent significant infrastructural upgrades during 2018 while the Aishalton District Hospital, Lethem Regional Hospital laboratory and Nurses quarters have been completed within the same period.

The Minister added that in this particular region which is vast in land mass, it is important for the establishment and upgrading of all health facilities. This will ensure all persons in need of health care accesses it in a timely manner. To this end, “the Maternity Waiting Home at Annai is also a significant move in providing quality care for our antenatal mothers and their newborn.”

The focus placed on this region is 2018, serves as an example and model for the health infrastructural works which will roll out in other hinterland regions 2019 and onwards.

Delicia Haynes.

Images: Jameel Mohamed.