Storage-bond mentality hurting beneficiaries of Region Ten health sector

APATHY AND POOR MANAGEMENT of the Region Ten health sector were blamed for its
ineffectiveness and underperformance during the 2015 – 2020 administration of the coalition A
Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
Critics pointed to procurement and non-use of millions of dollars of items intended for its 39,400
residents occupying the 17,000 km 2 hilly sand and clay area.
“One of the reasons for the many challenges in the health care sector within this region is the
poor management of resources. It is important that those who were entrusted with managing the
health care system be held accountable for their actions,” an official speaking strictly on
conditions of anonymity declared.
The official complained that several items were procured more than two years ago but are still
lying idly in regional bonds. Some in the process have been damaged and this is unfair to the
Upper Demerara – Berbice intended beneficiaries.
The official is outraged by the stoic indifference of some officials in the Region Ten health
sector who oversee the annual wastage. The recent most Auditor General’s Report highlighted
five refrigerators, one white board, one projector, two complete computer systems, one solar
refrigerator, one portable screen, three diagnostic sets, five oxygen gauges and five examination
couches still parked in the storage bond.

Sources close to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) have confirmed that procurement and
subsequent disregard for the items bought for the health sector are very common annual
occurrences in the impoverished mining region.
“This isn’t the first time that this has occurred as this is how Dr Pansy Armstrong (former
Regional Health Officer [RHO]) operated and it seems as though no one ever spoke to her firmly
on this kind of behaviour. She would just spend the money out and buy whatever they can even
though the evidence was there that there was no need for these items,” a source claimed.

“The former RHO should explain why she spent millions in items but never used them. This was
a complete waste of money and somebody should account for these,” an RDC official explained.
“There should be a thorough investigation. There seems to be attempts by several to cover up
what took place (under Dr Pansy Armstrong). It is the hope of many that the relevant personnel
will step in and conduct a thorough investigation,” a healthcare professional pleaded though
skeptical.
“Nothing comes out of these situations as you will remove one set and for some reasons, they are
replaced with others who are the same. So, these audit reports are practically a waste of time as
many know that nothing will come out of it,” the health care professional predicted.
The uselessness of government scrutiny of public sector spending reaches as high as the National
Assembly, a former parliamentarian observed.
“The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is almost a comedy and the people must demand
better,” the former MP suggested.