Govt continues to prioritise health services in hinterland
― Achawib residents hear of plans
― retired CHW eager for improvement plans
DPI, Guyana, Monday, November 25, 2019
Retired Community Health Worker/Microscopist, Ernest Johnson has welcomed the news of plans for improvement in health services in the far-flung community of Achawib in the South Rupununi.
Just recently, Minister of Public Health, Hon. Volda Lawrence visited the village and presented a short and medium-term plan that will take effect shortly. She spoke of the plans to improve health services to ensure the services in the hinterland are also on par with the coast.
Among the measures to be implemented is planned upgrade for the Achawib Health Post into a health centre. The move will ensure that more health care staff and services are available in the community. Also, the Public Health Minister has envisioned emergency transportation being provided to convey cases from this village to the district hospital at Aishalton – to narrow the gap in health care delivery further.
A commitment has also been made to ensure an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is provided to the Health Post before the end of the year. To this, the retired CHW expressed satisfaction to see that health services in his home village gaining attention.
Before retiring in 2013, Johnson worked in the village’s health post for 21 years. He told the Department of Public Information (DPI) this has not been without its challenges. “During my time, there was no proper health facility… Regarding transportation, we just had a bicycle, and we had to endure the sun, rain, mud, hunger and everything with that.”
Johnson’s son, Edison, is the current CHW at Achawib and is participating in a training programme in Lethem to upgrade his skills. Ernest noted that the ATV is a significant addition which will assist his son to carry out his duties more effectively.
“It will be very helpful since most times our patients might be stranded forced to find their own mode of transportation… the ATV that will be sent by the minister before year-end will come in handy… with that, the current CHW can visit homes regularly.”
It was noted that persons do not seek medical attention at the facility frequently since they may be unable to travel to the location; hence, there is more emphasis on the home visits specifically for pregnant women and senior citizens.
Achawib is one of many villages in the hinterland, that will see their health facilities undergoing expansion and upgrades in 2020 onwards
The ministry’s vision of ensuring each health centre is staffed with a doctor remains. In the interim, Medexes are being trained to work in key health facilities in far-flung areas. Meanwhile, a laboratory will be added to the numerous health services provided in the hinterland.