New maternity unit among proposals included in $2.1b budget for Region 6

By Malisa Playter Harry

Health care in Region 6 is expected to take off with a boom with several projects proposed in the 2017 budget estimates, which were submitted recently by the Health Services in Berbice.

Jevaughn Stephens, Director of the Regional Health Services disclosed that “recently we prepared and submitted budget estimates for 2017 to the Ministry of Finance totaling to $2.1 B”.

According to Stephens the budget has seen an increase of $205M from 2016. He disclosed that the ministries are pleased with the proposal and he is optimistic that it will be approved.

Meanwhile, on the agenda for health services in the region, the Director revealed that a complete maternity unit will soon take its place in the compound of the New Amsterdam hospital, “in the unit we will have a labor room, maternity ward, neo- natal unit and it’s very own theatre.”

He said maternity is a priority in region 6. Stephens further highlighted that a health centre will be constructed at #77 Village to ensure residents have access to primary health care.

It is also expected that a number of Cuban trained doctors will be in Region 6 shortly, “also we are in discussion with a Cuban Medical Brigade to ensure that more Dr’s are coming to region 6. In this regard he disclosed that an 18 bed Dr’s quarters is expected to be constructed in early 2017,” Stephens said.

Mr. Stephens added that a site has been secured for the construction of a spanking new Psychiatric Hospital. The location is said to be on the Lower East Bank of Berbice.