$24.1M operating theatre at dental school by year-end

As part of the string of upgrades planned for the Cheddi Jagan Dental School in Georgetown, the construction of a $24.1 million operating theatre should commence next week and it is expected that this facility will be available for use by year-end.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, during his daily COVID-19 update on Thursday, said that the money was allocated in this year’s national budget.

“We recognise that persons who require some specialised type of dental work wouldn’t be able to get it anywhere else and in a lot of cases, it is the regular dentistry that people would come to the institution for but it requires operation by a maxillofacial surgeon,” the Health Minister said.

This type of surgeon is a dental specialist who treats many diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws, hard and soft tissues of the mouth, and maxillofacial (jaws and face) region.

And, Minister Anthony stated that Guyana has maxillofacial surgeons but that there is no theatre for them to operate in. As such, the construction of this theatre is important.

He said bids were already received and the winning company would be awarded the contract sometime this week.

“We hope this facility would be up and running by the end of this year so that we can add this set of services to what we are doing right now at the dental school,” Dr. Anthony noted.

In addition to the construction of this facility, an on-site pharmacy has already been constructed and supplied with the necessary pharmaceuticals. Soon, a pharmacist and other personnel to support this facility’s operations would be employed there.

Meanwhile, other renovation works are expected at this facility. During a visit to the dental school on Wednesday, the Department of Information (DPI) reported that renovation works are ongoing at different sections of the building.

Among the departments refurbished are the sterilisation and periodontology departments, to ensure optimum sanitation and accessibility.