GEORGETOWN, Guyana - President Irfaan Ali Friday said while he does not intend to stop doctors from working simultaneously in the private and public sectors, they should however provide improved services to patients.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali addressing medical practitioners on Friday (DPI Photo)“I believe we are making serious investments in the healthcare system and in making these investments, the population and the government expect that in a short time span, we must be able to deliver efficient, quality and world class healthcare to the citizens of Guyana in the first instance,” Ali told the medical community at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, at Liliendaal, Georgetown.
A government statement said that the briefing was an opportunity for the medical community to learn more about the government’s plans for the health sector and how they can contribute to its success.
Speaking at a brief opening ceremony before going into the closed door session with the doctors, President Ali said he wants the healthcare professionals, many of whom are attached to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), to guarantee that all patients seeking services in the public sector will access a minimum standard of service and that all backlogs of cases are addressed in the shortest possible time.
“I want us to identify the areas of backlog and we are going to invest in clearing those backlogs, particularly in matters that concern women and children,” Ali said, noting that the government’s plans for the development of the healthcare sector includes guaranteeing that all Guyanese have access to primary healthcare services alongside more specialised services.
He said the healthcare workers are an integral part of the development of the health sector since they are the ones who will be providing the care and they are the ones tasked with utilising the new facilities, hospitals and centres, being built.
But he told the medical practitioners that while he could not bar them from offering their services in the private sector, he believes “we can work towards a healthy balance”.
Ali said that the government is working on both short term and medium term solutions to fill staffing gaps, including training opportunities.
