July deadline for completion of Bartica Hospital $10M drug bond

A $10M drug bond for the sgtorage of drugs and medical supplies in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven) is scheduled to be completed at the end of July. It was revealed that the bond is under construction in the compound of the Bartica Regional Hospital and the storage of these items will no longer be an issue.

Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Edward Sagala made this announcement after a recent tour of the hospital with Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall. Dr. Sagala was reported as saying that the storage of drugs and medical supplies at the hospital’s current bond has been difficult.

As such, the RHO said that the structure of the new bond, will accommodate a significant number of drugs and medical supplies for at least six months to a year. The RHO disclosed that the region “hopes to have a similar bond, but a little smaller for Upper Mazaruni so this bond would be able to get supplies in a timely fashion when we receive from Materials Management Unit (MMU), at least for Lower and Middle Mazaruni.”

Dr. Sagala highlighted the positive responses the hospital’s two-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has received since its establishment. According to the RHO, the ICU has been able to save at least 20 patients. It was revealed by the RHO that currently, five medical specialists are stationed at the hospital including an obstetrician, pediatrician, radiologist, anesthesiologist and trauma orthopedic surgeon.

“They are making a difference because they have tremendously cut down the number of patients that had to be referred in the past. Thanks to our fully operating theatre, patients are being treated,” he said. The RHO added that apart from this, upgrades are being done on the Kamarang District hospital to meet the needs of residents there.

Dr. Sagala pointed out that the district hospital, “has three doctors and we have about 15 beds for admission. We hope to increase that a little bit, we hope to do surgeries as you can see.We have medical equipment like operating bed, lights, cardiac monitors which are expected to fly in Kamarang soon.” He explained that operations will be conducted in the Upper Mazaruni area before year-end. However, these developmental works are just the beginning of how healthcare services will transform in the region. Dr. Sagala pointed out that a spanking new hospital is expected to be built in Bartica. He stressed that work on the hospital is set to commence by year-end. Dr Sagala said that the hospital will provide services to persons in Regions Two, Three, Eight and Nine.

“We are going through exciting times, you know. Everybody is looking forward for this. It has been long overdue so everyone is excited to have a new hospital with improved services including support services such as laboratory, pharmacy and medical imagery,” he explained.It was revealed that Guyana was approved a US $17.5M ($3.6B) Line of Credit from the Government of India to upgrade and modernise Suddie, West Demerara and the Bartica District  hospitals, in 2021.

Additionally, the hospitals will feature environmentally friendly operations that utilise best practices in energy and water consumption, among others.