Linden Hospital Complex gets neonatal intensive care unit

The Ministry of Health today commissioned the Neonatal Intensive Care Services at the Linden Hospital Complex, in keeping with the Government’s interest to expand on health care services, more specifically, pre and post-natal care.

Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, speaking at the commissioning ceremony, said the Ministry wants to see fewer women from Region Ten travelling to Georgetown for health care services because they are now accessible in the mining town.

Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran speaking at the commissioning of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Linden Hospital Complex

He emphasised that the Health Ministry is aiming to train over 40 doctors yearly to work in hospitals across the country, and that it has, and will continue to put in place all possible measures to continuously develop the professional skills of nurses of the Linden Hospital Complex.

President of Guyana Help the Kids (GHTK), Dr Narendra Singh speaking at the commissioning of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Linden Hospital Complex.

Over the past few years, the number of graduate doctors deployed to the hospital has increased with the addition of several Cuban-trained medical practitioners, and the continuous professional upgrade of nursing and medical staff.

Minister Ramsaran further thanked the many partners that have been contributing to Guyana’s health care such as Cuba, which has been helping in capacity building. He said that with the expansion of health care services in the country, this will help to achieve the Ministry’s developmental goal and the vision to reduce infant mortality.

Chief Medical Officer of the Linden Hospital Dr Farouk Riyasat delivering an address at the commissioning of the unit

President and founder of Guyana Help The Kids (GHTK), Paediatrician, Dr. Narendra Singh, who is based in Canada, highlighted the importance of a Neonatal Intensive Care programme because of its impact across the country.

The cutting of the ribbon to officially commission the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Linden Hospital Complex

“Statistically we know that there are about 15,000 deliveries in the country of which 6000 happen at the Georgetown Hospital…. and the other four Regional Hospitals account for about 90% of all the deliveries. So, if we are to expand a programme like this from Georgetown to the other four Regional Hospitals, we would really provide much better care for more than 90% of the babies born in Guyana,” Dr. Singh said.

One of the incubators inside the neonatal unit of the Linden Hospital

CEO of the Linden Hospital Complex Dr. Farouk Riyasat highlighted that the hospital received various pieces of equipment from Dr Singh, such as monitors and incubators. He added that two doctors from Ohio recently visited Guyana to train 25 nurses in using the equipment procured.

In March, the refurbished Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was opened following a collaborative effort with GHTK. The organisation also donated a quantity of equipment to the hospital.