Health Minister notes that Govt actively exploring telemedicine techniques

Remote diagnosis and treatment of patients in Guyana by means of telecommunications technology, is actively being explored with the view of being implemented by the current administration.

It was noted that it termed telemedicine, the new undertaking enables video or phone appointments between a patient and their health care practitioner, providing a convenient procedure. It was revealed that with telemedicine, a patient will be able to access help from a medical practitioner or even a nurse without having to travel to the hospital or clinic in their sick state.

As such, the administration’s move to venture into the new medical path is part of its overarching masterplan to significantly transform Guyana’s medical features. Therefore, government intends to push the nation’s health sector to mirror international standards, and put Guyana on the world map as a first-choice healthcare destination.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony revealed that his ministry will commence the trial phase of the new mechanism in the next two months, beginning with four remote communities in in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine).

“We will train the community health workers that are there so that they can deliver the first line of care, and if they need assistance, they can dial up to be in contact with a doctor in Georgetown, so that that doctor could help them to go through the paces of making adequate diagnosis,” Dr. Anthony explained.

The minister was at the time delivering keynote address during the 42nd Annual Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP) Conference, at the Guyana Marriott, Wednesday evening.

It was revealed that the session, was being hosted in collaboration with the Guyana Pharmacists’ Association (GPA). Minister Anthony stressed the importance of advancing Guyana’s healthcare technology.

He said as the nation rapidly expands in other industry; the health sector must also improve to effectively serve the growing economy.  The Minister added, that in areas where there might be little to no internet connection to facilitate the telemedicine process, the project will be run on satellite connection.

Accordingly, it was noted that the device or computer which is assigned to the medical outposts in those communities will also have the appropriate built-in software that will allow for good connectivity.

“So, the doctor in Georgetown could here breathe sounds or heart sounds. We will be able to use the probes to do ultrasounds and so forth,” Dr Anthony underscored.

Minister Anthony pointed out that Guyana is transforming the health, and skills of healthcare professionals.

Additionally, it was revealed that last month government signed an agreement with the Mount Sinai Health System and Hess Corporation to improve health services here. As such, HESS Corporation is investing some US $32M into the long-term medical master plan which will ensure all Guyanese receive the best possible health care.

Meanwhile, President of GPA/CAP, Kalwattie Datt-Singh noted that one of the reasons Guyanese pharmacists rarely attend the conference is due to the high cost to travel. It was stressed that the session is an opportunity for the local pharmacists, pharmacist students, interns and assistants to an international dialogue, which brings about the new trends of the developing profession.

“This conference is a perfect blend of both education, networking and also building bridges, which is in a highbred format and assembles 200 delegates from across 20 different countries,” Datt-Singh noted.

The five-day conference was held under the theme, “Pharmacists moving apace with new trends in pharmacy practice to meet patients’ needs.”