Concerned Guyanese demand better health care

Several persons gathered outside the Ministry of Public Health’s office on Brickdam, Georgetown in the blazing midday sun Wednesday demanding better health care and services across the nation’s public health institutions.

The peaceful protest was organized by rights activist, Sherlina Nageer who plans to be outside the Ministry of Public Health, every Wednesday until the Government improves its health care services.

Nageer and other activists are demanding accountability, noting that there have been too many issues affecting the health sector for far too long.

She pointed to the continued high infant maternal mortality rates, the drug shortages and the lack of services at hospitals across Guyana.

“From medical errors that continue to cause people’s deaths to the continued high infant maternal mortality rates to the drug shortages to the lack of services at hospitals across Guyana. We’re talking about people’s lives.

“The fact that rich people, people in power, politicians are not using the public health system, that sends a message to us as poor Guyanese… why are abortion services are still not available across all public hospitals but only at GPHC?…Birth control is not available in hinterland areas,” Nageer said.

Another activist, Danuta Radzik made the case that over the years Guyana has suffered from poor health care.

“I think for many Guyanese who use the public health systems, sometimes the treatment the sick receives, it’s not only the medical treatment but sometimes it’s the attitude of nurses towards [patients]…nurses have to understand that people when they’re in the hospital, are vulnerable. You need to pay particular attention and to be considerate to try and relieve their suffering.”

The subject Minister, Volda Lawrence has come in for criticisms following the recent mysterious deaths of three children at the Georgetown Public Hospital who all suffered from Leukemia – a form of cancer.

Additionally, the issue of drug shortages has been plaguing several hospitals across the country.