From a list of 71 healthcare facilities assessed across the country, the United Kingdom (UK) will be funding the rehabilitation of 10. This was disclosed on Wednesday by UK High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn during the opening of a seminar hosted for Contractors’ and Design Firms, under the ‘Smart Health Facility’ project.
The project, which was launched in 2016 and runs up to 2020, seeks to upgrade health facilities to better serve the population, and more so, in times of natural disasters
A total of 71 health facilities were assessed in the various regions by local health sector specialists and according to Pan-American Health Organisation’s representative, Dr William Adu-Krow, 95.8% of the facilities need urgent intervention.
However, only ten of those facilities will be rehabilitated under the project valuing $1.4B Guyana dollars.
The UK High Commissioner to Guyana said, “the assessments have been drawn up, they led to the creation of a priority list of ten of the facilities which has been submitted to the Ministry of Public Health for consideration. These priority facility meet key selection criteria in terms of population served, vulnerability and impact to best served the project aims.” Though the project is being funded by the UK, the High Commissioner on Wednesday assured Contractors’ and Design Firms that contractors do not have to be from the UK to bid for the projects.
Though the project is being funded by the UK, the High Commissioner assured Contractors’ and Design Firms that contractors do not have to be from the UK to bid for the projects.
Meanwhile, Dr William Adu-Krow explained that the spaces being used for each function at the selected hospitals in each region were examined, including the architecture of the buildings, isolated areas, and the use of energy and water at the facilities.
“When hospitals that are built to provide health services are damaged or are unable to function, the ill and injured have no place to go for assistance…This has an enormous impact on places that depend on these services,” Dr Adu-Krow stated.
Also speaking at the event was Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings who noted that the government is committed to ensuring better health care. It was clarified by the representative of PAHO that the Georgetown Public Hospital is not among the hospitals that will be upgraded.
Dr Adu-Krow related that any attempt to retrofit the GPHC with this grant, there will be no monies left for other facilities. As such, he said the government will have to take up the challenge of renovating the GPHC.
