5 SMART health care facilities in 2020

―195 health facilities shortlisted for upgrades

―facilities assessed under SMART

―database created with information gathered from assessments

DPI, Guyana, Monday, March 18, 2019

The Government will upgrade 5 health centres to SMART health care facilities by the end of 2020 as part of a United Kingdom funded $835M (US$ 4.175M) Department for International Development project.

The health facilities being retrofitted are the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, the Mabaruma Regional Hospital, the Leonora Cottage Hospital, the Lethem Regional Hospital and the Paramakatoi Health Centre

The facilities were among other assessed under the SMART Health Care Facilities Project and are expected to be fully modernised by 2020. After the upgrade, the facilities will employ safe and green practices and possess infrastructure which will be able to withstand the effects of climate change and natural disasters.

With the assessment conducted on facilities in all of Guyana’s regions, the government now has access to a database which details the existing needs and gaps at other health facilities. The information will aid strategic planning and budgeting in government’s thrust to improve healthcare delivery at facilities across the country.

PAHO/WHO’s advisor on Health Systems and Services in Guyana, Dr. Paul Edwards noted the importance of the information gathered on those facilities despite some may not have made the shortlist for the current project.

“You might ask yourselves why is it that we are assessing 120 and we are only going to invest in five. There are advantages to that. Having assessed 120 facilities you have that information readily available to do resource mobilisation, attract wherever there are monies, especially from developmental partners to be able to invest readily in what has already been assessed.”

This, Dr. Edwards said encourages governments to prioritise improved healthcare services by improving infrastructure and providing the necessary human and other resources among other critical investments.

“If we are going to invest in healthcare facilities, we will note that there will be a reduction in morbidity; people getting sick because you have a healthcare facility that is better equipped to respond to your needs so it will reduce morbidity. It will also reduce mortality; the number of people dying and when we look at the other key areas it will also reduce economic losses from disasters.”

The government has already begun to tap into the information available as they move forward to rehabilitate health centres and hospitals according to the deficiencies and what may be hindering residents of respective communities from having the best quality of healthcare provided.

Delicia Haynes

Images: Anil Seelall