A step closer to operationalising the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention

As the Ministry of Health moves towards opening the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Liliendaal, Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony said by the end of the day patients should be able to occupy the medical facility.

“We are at that point now where we feel we can bring patients into the facility,” Minister Anthony told the Department of Public Information today.

He highlighted that his Ministry and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) was successfully addressing one of the challenges – access to potable water in the building.

“As of today, GWI is bringing a tanker of water to fill the tanks that we have, so that water can be available, while they rectify the connections that will channel the water from their main point to the facility.”

According to Dr. Anthony, another challenge faced was electricity in the building. He relayed that on Sunday technicians from the Guyana Power and Light Company visited the medical facility and have implemented a temporary solution.

“They will be putting in smaller transformers, but the way they have wired them, will allow for it to successfully take off the load from the Ocean View facility.” 

Meanwhile, in terms of staffing, it was disclosed that 28 medical practitioners from the GPHC have been assigned to supervise operations at the hospital. The Health Minister said that nurses and other support staff were also identified.

He explained that two sections of the Centre will be utilised.  The lower flat on the eastern half will be occupied by those patients who are in the transitional phase or those suspected to have contracted the virus.

While the upper floor is prepared to house positive COVID-19 patients. Minister Anthony relayed that every patient will have their own private space and a washroom facility.

Additionally, an ambulance will be stationed at the site and should any critical patients need to be transferred to GPHC for immediate attention. To this end, the Minister is considering installing an Intensive care Unit at the Centre to eliminate the need to transfer patients to the city hospital.

A medical team from the GPHC was expected to conduct a final assessment of the facility earlier today.