Overcrowding, among issues affecting GPHC’s treatment of critical cases – Acting CEO
GINA, GUYANA, Friday, November 5, 2016
Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr Sheikh Amir today, said overcrowding among other issues at the hospital is responsible for some critical cases not being able to access beds and receive treatment.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Dr. Sheikh Amir (right) and another doctor of the hospital, Dr. David Samaroo
At a media breakfast at the hospital’s Resource Centre, Dr Amir lamented that many persons do not claim or take their relatives from the hospital. “Some patients are discharged, but their relatives do not come for them to take them home so many times they are left in the hospital for weeks and months with no family member to claim them. Even when they die, family members do not claim them, so the expense is on the hospital to care for them and bury them,” Dr. Amir explained.
The acting CEO explained that there were 1000 beds in the hospital, but now there are 500. This, he said, coupled with the fact that there are many referred cases from regional hospitals and health centres, is responsible for the inefficiency in treating patients. He added that the X-Ray and laboratory departments treat patients on a 24- hour basis and this can lead to damage of equipment.
Additionally, the acting CEO stated that many referred patients would pass on, not as a result of negligence by the hospital, but due to the time it takes for the patients to get to the hospital from their location.
Dr. Amir emphasised that patients are properly taken care of, but there are many other challenges the hospital faces, including drug and bed availability.
Dr. David Samaroo, Head of Surgical Department echoed similar sentiments, noting that as patients increase, the operating room space
Dr. Kishore Persaud of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
becomes limited for new persons. Dr. Samaroo said the surgical department works hand in hand with the operating room, and its staff work through lunch.
Alluding to reports of overseas medical teams coming in to conduct surgeries, Dr. Samaroo contended that those teams actually save patients money by precluding them from travel and other expenses. He noted that a group of overseas surgeons would be in Guyana this month- end to perform surgeries.
Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Kishore Persaud added that there are many patients who require dialysis, but cannot be treated effectively because there of a paucity of bed space. However, the hospital is working on establishing a National Dialysis Centre to provide better care to patients. In February, doctors and nurses will be trained to upgrade the dialysis standard.
Despite the challenges the hospital is facing, the doctors noted that it has made significant strides and will continue to do so.
By: Ranetta La Fleur