GPHC maternal unit to undergo massive $236M expansion
Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown GINA, March 13, 2015, Source - GINA
As government strives to ensure its citizens benefit from a higher quality health care, there has been continuous investment in the development of health facilities. In this light, $236M has been allocated for the remodelling and extension of the Maternity Ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar along with Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran turn the sod to mark the beginning of the Maternity Ward expansion project as Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Michael Khan looks on.
In this regard, a sod turning ceremony, as well as the unveiling of the plaque was conducted today at the hospital’s compound. The honours were performed by Guyana’s First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran.
Speaking at the ceremony, GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Khan gave an overview of the project, which, he pointed out, has the main aim of creating more bed space for the pre and post-natal wards.
Khan pointed out that the project will see the addition of 60 new beds, and the remodelling of the ground floor to house training rooms, offices, a neonatal clinic and ‘doctors on call’ rooms, while the upper flat will contain two operating rooms, the birthing room and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
He added that this project, which commenced on February 16, 2015, is expected to run for one year.
The CEO also noted that this project is a very important one, since the facility, at times becomes overcrowded, because of the fact that the GPHC not only covers a large catchment area, but also it is the country’s national referral hospital. By expanding its building, the facility will be able to provide a better quality of service.
In 2012, GPHC successfully delivered 5, 665 babies, while in 2013, 5,790 were delivered. In 2014, the hospital recorded a total of 6,085 babies.
Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, in his remarks, said that “No woman should die giving life,” as he pointed out that Guyana has mourned the loss of a few mothers during child birth. However, the administration is trying it’s best to curb the issue.
He added that with the reduction of neonatal and maternal deaths, one can only assume that the administration “must be doing something good.”
First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar is greeted with a bouquet of flowers from a nurse on her arrival at the GPHC
Further, he noted that Guyana has a model vaccination programme, as the lauded the birthing attendants for their work at the ante-natal clinics across the country.
Meanwhile, Natasha Smith, a proud mother, shared her story of how GPHC managed to save her, as well as her baby boy’s life. Dimitri Ethan Denheart, Smith’s son, was born at 28 weeks on October 11, 2011. This now healthy and bouncing three-year old who has survived his twin, weighed just 800 grams at birth.
The tearful mother recalled how the facility helped to keep her son alive, through hard work and care. She added that at times, when she lost hope, the nurses also reinstalled her faith through inspiring words. After three months, she was able to take her son home.
A section of the gathering at the sod turning ceremony at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
Also present at the ceremony, was Minister of Human Services Jennifer Webster, People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Pan-American Health Organistaion (PAHO) country representative Dr. William Adu-Krow, along with other members of the health sector and staff of the hospital.
The Health Ministry continues to work towards achieving the United National Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 5 which is reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio.
Also in 2014, $22.6 million was allocated for the establishment of maternity waiting homes in Lethem and Bartica to cater for antenatal high-risk mothers.
Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran presenting People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper and Minister of Human Services Jennifer Webster, with copies of Guyana’s MDG acceleration Framework (maternal health)
Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran along with First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar unveiling the plaque for the project