7 percent increase in public health budget for 2018

DPI, Guyana, Monday, November 27, 2017

The National 2018 Budget makes provision for $33.3B to support the delivery of quality, efficient and effective public healthcare to the populace in 2018.  This budgeted amount is an increase of 7 percent from the 2017 allocation of $31.2B.

Minister Winston Jordan, highlighted the following as some of the interventions that the allocation will cover:

  • The acquisition of a second mammography machine for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to boost screening, early diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer.
  • The acquisition of a new viral load machine to enable HIV testing, Zika screening and other specialist tests.
  • The continued deployment of specialised doctors through the regions of Guyana, towards bringing the regional facilities up to standard so that patients can be treated without having to be medevac’d to the GPHC.
  • The introduction of an elderly health programme in 2018. The programme will have the aim of having one health care facility in each region offer a package of care services for the elderly population.
  • The training of a total of 500 health professionals to better detect and treat mental illness.
  • Meanwhile, $2.4B has been allocated for the upgrade maintenance and construction of health infrastructure across the country; $600M for procurement of medical equipment and $2.2 for drugs and medical supplies, and $150M for the rehabilitation of the CC Nicholson Hospital and the provision of essential obstetric and new born equipment for the GPHC.

The 2018 public health budget is approximately 12.5 percent of the National Budget and 4.2 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This sum has been set aside in an effort to modernise and transform the public health sector.

 

By: Delicia Haynes

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