Better communication among health sector workers expected

GINA, GUYANA, Wednesday, August 31, 2016

The Ministry of Public Health, during the third quarter of the year will place emphasis on improving communication among medical practitioners, primarily in the hinterland.

The Department of Regional Health Services (RHS) is awaiting approval from the relevant authorities to equip doctors, managers and Regional Health Officers (RHOs) in the hinterland with cell phones complete with credit.

This move is aimed at ensuring that there is always a means of communication among the medical practitioners, which will in turn create more efficient patient treatment and care. Also through this system, doctors can consult with each other in cases of emergencies.

The department will also be working on improving a number of areas in the medical field. Among these are a pilot study which will be facilitated at three health posts from both the hinterland, and the coastland regions. This is aimed at identifying best practices which will be used at the basic level of health care.

Further, the department will continue to collaborate with regional officials to ensure adequate accommodation for doctors and health care providers who will be relocated to the hinterland. To date, at least 50 percent of the doctors who are being relocated have received accommodation and the RHS is currently working with the Ministry of Communities to cater for the remainder.

The RHS will also continue its partnership with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in the area of policy development, while maintaining its relations with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Faith Based Organisations.

Additionally, there are plans for all health centres across the country to be equipped with at least one doctor to serve the residents in those areas. A Medex and Community Health Workers’ (CHWs) conference will also be held during the second half of 2016.

The department will continue its regular medical evacuation (Medevac) services along with its supervisory visits, medical outreaches and support to the Cuban Medical Brigade. This is in keeping with the Ministry of Public Health’s broader goals of providing quality health care in all 10 administrative regions.