Health sector brainstorms data-driven strategy
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, August 28, 2018
The Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) continues to seek ways to propel the health sector.
One such way is by developing a National eHealth Strategic Plan. To accomplish this, a two-day workshop is ongoing at the Marriot Hotel with various health stakeholders to brainstorm and begin the process of developing the strategic plan. Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence said that such a strategy has the ability to boost Guyana’s health sector. This was supported by Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr, Karen Cummings who was also present at the workshop.
The eHealth Strategy is expected to bridge the gap in the health sector and address many of the challenges patients and medical professionals face. Minister Lawrence noted that it is time for Guyana’s health sector to be taken to the next level adding that one element that is key to making that a reality is accurate data.
“We want to ensure that we have the data so that our plans, that our budgeting, that our programmes would not be done in abstract but rather will be data-driven. In that way, we do know that we will be able to be more efficient in what we do and the service that we provide. That we would be able to save lots of money which can go into other sectors of the health system and also have connectivity.”
Connectivity is also critical especially in the hinterland regions where there is little to none. However, when the strategy comes online, the problem will be dealt with since all patient information will be digitalized and accessible from anywhere. This will allow for a better patient-doctor relationship where the doctor can keep abreast with patients in far-flung areas.
With that, the minister called upon the stakeholders as they brainstorm to make the strategy relevant and accessible to the citizens as one size does not fit all. “When we talk about accessibility, we are not talking about the coastland only. We are talking about all of Guyana. So, the thoughts and the ideas that you are going to put forward must take into account accessibility.”
PAHO/WHO country representative Dr. William Adu-Krow said decisions made by evidence contribute to more efficient resource allocations and can influence policies to develop the health sector. “The end result is to ensure that the right health information is provided to the right person at the right place and at the right time in a secured electronic form to optimize the quality and efficiency to of health care delivery.”
By: Isaiah Braithwaite.
Images: Jameel Mohamed.