GPHC receives medical equipment valued over $27 million

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), this afternoon, received a quantity of equipment valued over $27 million to support the Department of Anaesthesiology and aid the fight against COVID-19.

The People’s Republic of China/16^th Chinese Medical Brigade donated the items, which included a quantity of epidural needles, an electric aspirator, flexible videoscope, injection pump and a portable colour ultrasound.

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony expressed his gratitude for the donation.

“We are very grateful for these timely and pointed investments and they have certainly worked to ensure that we are able to offer better service to our people…. I see this as another step in the many steps, that we will have to take along this journey and we look forward to your help as we make these journeys to transform our country and especially the health sector.”

Minister Anthony saidwork has started on a 10-year strategic plan to improve health services. He noted that since then, there have been improvements in Oncology services.   He also highlighted a key feature of the plan is to have a modern and improved Pathology Laboratory.

Photo of the donation

Dr. Anthony also noted the advancements made in Chinese technology and expressed hope that in the future, Guyanese could benefit from training in China.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Cui Jianchun, said he is delighted to assist the Guyanese people and the Government of Guyana in their efforts to improve healthcare.

“This is not only about equipment, not only about technology, this is really meaningful to the friendship to support each other,” he said.

Dr. Fernando Ramirea Tellez, Head – Anaesthesia said the donations will make a considerable difference in the lives of patients and healthcare providers, as it will help in the implementation of the much-anticipated Anaesthesia Visualisation Technology Centre.

Dr. Qiao Zhiming, Head, 16^th Chinese Medical Brigade, said the co-operation between the two countries will help to effectively control the COVID-19 pandemic and help people to return to a safe and healthy life in the near future.

Additionally, Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, Brigadier (ret’d) George Lewis thanked the Brigade for the donation and assistance at the hospital.

“The equipment will go a far way, in terms of improving healthcare at the Georgetown Hospital, in terms of what we could offer our patients here and the contribution of the 16^th Medical Brigade at the Georgetown Hospital will certainly help us here to improve our technology, and find new and modern way of treating our patients,” he said.

Representatives of the Chinese Delegation and the 16^th Chinese Medical Brigade, as well as Director of Medical and Professional Services Dr. Fawcett Jeffrey and Dr. Madan Rambarran, Chairman and Director of the Dr. Yesu Persaud Clinical Education Centre, also attended the ceremony.