Jr. Health Minister visits Wakenaam Cottage Hospital
GINA, GUYANA, Thursday, October 06, 2016
Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings and other Regional health officials today visited the Wakenaam Cottage Hospital to deliver medical supplies that were donated and to get an update on the hospital’s operating system since the minister’s last visit in January.
Wakenaam Cottage Hospital
Accompanying the Minister were; the Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Kay Shako; Assistant Regional Executive Officer of Region Three, Shameer Shahid and Regional Health Officer, Naail Uhtman.
The Doctor in Charge of the Wakenaam Cottage Hospital, Dr. Dayawant Shiwnandan, acknowledged the timeliness of the supplies noting that supplies such as the treated mosquito nets would be distributed to pregnant mothers in an effort to prevent new cases of Zika. Other medical supplies such as linens, gloves and other assorted supplies would benefit the overall delivery of healthcare.
It was noted that the Hospital was not receiving the full quota of drugs and other medical supplies. Also, there was an increase in the number of persons seeking medical attention at the health facility while at the same time; the hospital was doing more community outreaches.
Dr. Shiwnandan said that most times the drugs that have been requisitioned would not be enough and would put the facility at a disadvantage
Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings hands over medical supplies to Doctor in Charge of Wakenaam Cottage Hospital, in the presence of Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Kay Shako and Regional Health Officer Region Three Dr. Naail Uhtman
in terms of supplying drugs.
Dr. Naail Uhtman the new Regional Health Officer of Region Three said that there might be a breakdown in communication between the central regional authorities responsible for delivering healthcare supplies the cottage hospital.
Minister Cummings pointed out that there is need for regional authorities to pay more attention to areas such as Wakenaam that may constantly need interventions especially when it comes to the supply of drugs.
The Minister and her team toured the health facility and observed major infrastructure developments that have been completed and some that are still in progress. Recently, the hospital had an expansion to facilitate an Accident and Emergency/ Observation unit.
Dr. Cummings expressed her satisfaction at the progress at the hospital. “They are trying to improve infrastructure, they are going into the communities doing outreaches trying to deliver health care services to the people of Wakenaam, I’m very pleased with the doctor’s performance,” Dr. Cummings said.
There are also looking at transforming the Pathology laboratory that is currently not in use to a physiotherapy department for patients in need of that care.
The Medex quarters is also expected to be refurbished to accommodate the placement of a resident Medex at the facility.
Some of the medical Supplies handed over to the Hospital
The staff component of the Wakenaam Cottage Hospital stands at 24 and includes one doctor, one dentist, four nurses, two laboratory technicians and other ancillary staff. The need for significant improvements, especially in the area of human resources was noted.
The hospita attends to more than 700 patients, providing services in the areas of Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Dentistry, Maternal and Child Health, Physiotherapy, outpatient and chronic disease clinics.
In addition, the hospital does community to outreaches, provides home care for patients who cannot make it the health centres and the hospital’s scheduled clinic dates.
There are three Health Centres on the Island working along with the hospital to provide quality health care to Wakenaam residents.
By Delicia Haynes