RDC health committee, Public Health Minister project improvement in management of sector

DPI, Guyana, Monday, September 10, 2018

Members of the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) health committee met with Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence on September 6, to discuss ways in which the committee can work with the Public Health Ministry to improve services offered to the region.

This meeting was a part of a series of engagements conducted by the minister and a team from her ministry during a three-day visit to the region where they met the staff and addressed a number of issues.

Among the issues discussed at the meeting was the need for improved management of resources in hospitals across Region Ten. This was cited as one of the main contributing factors to subsequent existing issues. This was related to the Public Health Minister by Dr. Gregory Harris, Outgoing Chairman of the Health Committee Regional Democratic Council.

Dr. Harris reasoned that one of the keys to improving the services the sector provides is by ensuring management is familiar with their responsibilities and commitment to supporting the health care system.

Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) Health Committee outgoing Chairman, Dr. Gregory Harris [extreme left] and other committee members

Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) Health Committee incoming Chairman, Gordon Callendar

Other committee members

He also recalled that in 2017, the PAHO/WHO office in Guyana exposed managerial staff of hospitals to a three-day training which focused on integrated healthcare management. He suggested that more training sessions and refresher courses such as these are needed for managers.

Minister Lawrence noted if the health sector is to move forward and provide the best level of healthcare, these issues must be identified and addressed “hands on.” The minister explained that all members of staff in the health sector should be targetted in this regard. She added that the governing bodies such as the ministry and the RDC must also evaluate prudently and examine persons who are selected to be managers.

Having this grave concern highlighted, the health committee’s incoming Chairman, Gordon Callendar committed himself and the members of the committee towards working with the Ministry of Public Health through the RDC to eliminate the health-related issues in the region.

Delicia Haynes

Images: Karime Peters