Database created to manage Region Four health resources
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, 05 July 2018
The Health Department in the Demerara-Mahaica region has created a detailed database system to manage its resources.
During the Regional Health Officers meeting being held in Pomeroon-Supenaam, RHO for Region Four, Dr. Quincy Jones said the successfully implemented database monitors staff, service delivery, drugs and medical supplies in the region.
Dr. Jones said all of their 336 health-staff are enrolled by their name, date of birth, designation, qualification, various facilities of work on the database. “We track each and every one of our employees in terms of leave management, time management, sick leave.”
According to the RHO, senior government Medical Officer, Dr. Reza Niles, who is currently managing the database, had been sensitised on the content of public services rules and the laws surrounding their management.
“If there is an incident with a doctor or a nurse I would just hand over the necessary to Dr. Niles she conduct the investigation and then prepare a letter with the requisite course of action. This, I just have to give PPO (Principal Personnel Officer), he endorses and we take it from there.”
Also digitised is the inventory of drugs and medical supplies at all the health facilities in Region Four. Dr. Jones explained this is referred to as a ‘virtual store’.
“This means if I type in amoxicillin I could see all the amoxicillin I have how much at every health centre. So, if there is a shortage maybe at BV (Beterverwagting), I type in amoxicillin and I see maybe I have an excess at Cane Grove then I could shuffle some of that amount from cane grove over to BV.”
The database is a strategic line of action where severe drug shortages can be prevented in the region. It also facilitates proper management of the supplies, cutting out instances of pilferage and mismanagement.
The region’s health department decided to utilise a database since it has been identified as the most suitable platform that provides a clear path of accountability for the region’s health resources. It also is seen as a step toward getting on board the national implementation of ICT in the work sphere.
The Health Services Department is responsible for 31 health facilities that are located from the western bank of the Mahaica River to Industry on the East Coast of Demerara and from Eccles East Bank of Demerara to Moblissa on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, with the exception of Enmore Polyclinic, Industry Health Center, the Cheshire Home and Agricola Health Center.
By: Delicia Haynes.
Images: Anil Seelall and Region Health Department, Demerara-Mahaica.