New Nappi Village health post to see trial of telemedicine

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, along with several other key officials from the Health Ministry, officially opened a $13.6M health post in the village of Nappi, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) on Tuesday.

It was noted that the new facility will provide medication and other forms of treatment for persons suffering from diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and several other health issues. Minister Anthony in his brief remarks at the simple opening ceremony, explained that the opening of the facility forms part of the government’s larger vision of improving the healthcare sector, and providing easier access to these services.

Minister Anthony noted that within this vision is the intention to establish a telemedicine system. He said that once implemented, the mechanism will allow for doctors in the capital city to easily contact Community Health Workers (CHW) in rural communities, to offer assistance when necessary. “We can use the internet to be able to communicate with a doctor in Georgetown, and that doctor will work with the CHW or the nurse that is stationed here, to be able to make a diagnosis, and then offer treatment,” Dr Anthony said.

The health minister also took the opportunity to encourage residents in the community to enroll in the Nursing Assistant Training Programme in Lethem. Meanwhile, Toshao of the village, Samuel Fredericks welcomed the facility, explaining that the health post will help the village to save finances, since transportation cost will be reduced.

“It will benefit us in many ways. Firstly, it will cut the cost from going to Lethem to seek the services that Lethem provides. It will now be done here in Nappi, so in terms of money it will cut down on that, and time,” Toshao Fredericks said. It was revealed that the new healthcare facility is expected to provide around 215 health interventions for Nappi and the surrounding communities.