SMART initiative to be implemented at Diamond Diagnostic Centre
– consultations held with medical staff and EBD residents
DPI, GUYANA, Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Residents of Diamond and surrounding communities will soon benefit from the SMART initiative slated to be implemented at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.
Hospitals and other health facilities embracing this SMART concept must provide standard and efficient health care before, during, and even immediately after the event of any natural or man-made disaster. SMART Hospitals are meant to be environmentally friendly with structural and operational safety built into the facility’s state of operations.
Addressing persons gathered for a consultation on the initiative, Minister within Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings said that the implementation of the initiative is one that needs to be embraced for the benefit of the citizens.
“The purpose of this SMART initiative is to improve existing processes for the provision of advanced means of medical care and to open new opportunities for medicine. Guyana joins the rest of the world in the SMART initiative and will not be left behind as the world moves in the direction of providing healthcare that is safe, sustainable and affordable while utilising technological eco-systems that harness information and communication technologies,” the minister said.
Acting British High Commissioner, Ray Davidson called on the participants to use the consultation to become involved in the decision-making process. “This is your chance to engage in the process and I urge you to do so in order to what is deliver is what is actually needed by the people who use this service,” Davidson added.
The acting British High Commissioner said approximately 71 health care facilities in Guyana were evaluated using the Health Safety Index (HIS) and the Mabaruma Regional Hospital, Leonora Cottage Hospital, Lethem Regional Hospital, Paramakatoi Health Centre and the Diamond Diagnostic Centre were identified as the healthcare facilities to be retrofitted, via the SMART initiative, to withstand disasters.
The retrofitting process is expected to include the strengthening of roofs and other structures, the installation of hurricane shelters, improvement of drainage as well as the improvement of disability access, power supply, safety and efficiency.
PAHO/WHO representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow said that the commencement of the consultation has set the tone for healthcare facilities identified to be retrofitted and as such, all need to be involved.
“It is my hope that whatever gains and savings made will be put back into the system. I also hope that we use our own funds to retrofit those (healthcare facilities) who have not been identified with the assistance of DFID,” Dr. Adu-Krow added.
Region Four Health Department’s Regional Vice, Earl Lambert said that the SMART initiative is one step closer to the commitment made by the government to provide improved healthcare services to all.
This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Public Health, the United Kingdom through its Department for International Development (DFID) and Pan America Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).
Neola Damon.
Images: Karime Peters.