New Amsterdam Hosp. Management exploring 24hr Pharmacy services
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, 9 June 2018
New Amsterdam Regional Hospital in East Berbice-Corentyne is likely to have 24-hour service provided by the pharmacy. This was relayed to Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings by the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Colin Bynoe
Recently, the Dr. Cummings along with the ministry’s Director of Regional and Clinical Health Services, Dr. Kay Shako met with senior medical and administrative officials of the facility to discuss ways of improving services.
Bynoe indicated that to implement this new system the hospital will need to hire at least four qualified Pharmacists. However, he told the minister that there are very few trained pharmacists in the region.
“You have to ensure there is some control mechanism on all shifts and we know that we can attract Pharmacy Assistants, but the problem is attracting qualified Pharmacists. Also, again, it will come back to the matter of remuneration and looking at the packages,” the CEO said.
This topic came on the heels of discussions surrounding the availability of adequate human resources in the region’s health sector. There is some progress as the hospital administration is presently attempting to hire two qualified pharmacists from in the region.
“Currently we are in the process of working with Mr. Oneil Atkins (Director of Pharmacies) because there are two persons, from Region Six who have completed their university studies that we are trying to attract, “Bynoe said.
“We wish to engage them before they are employed elsewhere.”
These additional pharmacists that are being sought will add to the complement of pharmacy assistants at the facility. The New Amsterdam Regional Hospital Pharmacy currently functions Mondays to Fridays from 8:00hrs to 16:30hrs and Saturdays and Sundays, from 8:00hrs to 12:00hrs.
By: Delicia Haynes.
Images: Leon Leung.