No maternal deaths at Linden Hospital since 2009

Jul 17, 2014 News

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The Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) is today proud of its achievement of no maternal deaths since 2009.
This and other relevant information were recently highlighted during the Linden Fund Trust (LFT) Linden Media Forum, at the Egbert Benjamin Centre.
Under the theme “Mackenzie Hospital Complex (Linden Hospital Complex)-past, present and future”, the forum sought to educate the general public about services available at the hospitals, and developmental goals of the facility, aimed at providing better services.
Chairman of the Linden Complex, Mortimer Mingo, said that he was very pleased with the hosting of the Linden media forum, which afforded key officials of the Institution the opportunity to share with the community some of the services offered.
It also afforded interaction with both the media and the community. “We stand at all times to ensure that we adopt policies that are beneficial, effective, efficient and compassionate delivery of Health Care, to the persons who need, and those that are tasked with its delivery at the Mackenzie, Upper Demerara as well as the Kwakwani hospital.
This forum to interact with members of the public is indeed a great opportunity to share our policies with you and most importantly, get feedback from you the people whom we serve.
In fact, under the service agreement signed between the Board of Directors of the Linden Hospital Complex and the Ministry of Health we are committed to this type of interaction at least once yearly.
“We are truly and very sincerely appreciative, of the approach and collaboration with the Linden Trust, through the Linden Community Forum for the hosting of this activity, and we certainly look forward, to more of this in the future.”
Dr. Quincy Jones, who is attached to the OBTYN and accident and emergency department, of the Linden Hospital Complex, gave an overview of the services and functionality of the institution.
Jones said that to really get an appreciation of what the Linden Hospital does, first, one must have a concept of the health care organization in Region Ten.
The Region Ten District has 14 Health posts, 12 health centres, two basic hospitals, the Upper Demerara and Kwakwani Hospitals and one Regional Hospital, which is the Linden Hospital, which is a level four institution as categorized by the Ministry of Health.
The Linden Hospital Complex boasts 60 registered nurses, thirty seven nursing assistants, 17 midwives, eight sisters, four departmental sisters, 23 staff nurse/midwife, 11 patient care assistants, and a total of 52 doctors.
Jones said that the staff at the Upper Demerara Hospital is very small, which is due to the limited amount of services available there, and the small ‘traffic’ of patients, due to the fact that it is ‘geographically’ very close to the Mackenzie Hospital.
He added that the Mackenzie Hospital is now involved in the screening for heart conditions in newborns, which he posited will play a significant role in the mortality rate of these patients.
He also highlighted the work being done by the infectious clinic, which is run by Dr. Roscoe McDonald, and focuses on tuberculosis, and which ranks high in the Caribbean, in terms of adherence and quality.
Dr. McDonald, was recently awarded for this achievement, he said.
There is currently no orthopedic surgeon in the institution’s orthopedic department, which is responsible for a high number of patient referrals for those suffering from associated medical conditions.
As a result, certain emergency cases would have to be referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, he added.
During the forum both media operatives and members of the public were encouraged to field questions to the panel pertaining to the Hospital, and its sister institution the Upper Demerara Hospital.
Samuel Wright, Chairman of Linden Fund Trust, said that it is important that the organisation (LFT) be represented by a wide cross section of the community, including the areas of education, health and sports.
Chief Executive Officer of the Linden Hospital Complex Dr. Farouk Riyastat in his report on ‘the future of the Linden Hospital Complex’, pointed out that there have been many changes at the institution, particularly during the `2009-2014 period, noting that the hospital underwent its transition phase, from the old building to the new state of the art facility in 2009.
Commencing in August 2009, the transition was completed in December, and commissioned on December 5, 2009.
Riyastat said that the UDH which is located at Wismar, Linden, is set to benefit from a new emergency unit as well as an extension of its family health clinic, later this year.
The sister facility, provides similar health services as the LHC, except in the areas of psychiatry, orthopedics, ophthalmology and the chest clinic, Riyastat pointed out.
But that is expected to change soon as the hospital will be working on new developments, he added.
“I’ve been talking to some doctors in those areas and we are hoping that by August 1, we can start with ophthalmology services; I’m talking about surgical services…as well as the orthopedics services. The clinic for psychology will not start until later down the year, after our doctors…
“Would have completed training, then later down in the year, we will be looking at starting a psychiatric clinic,” he explained.
He added that the UDH attracts less patients compared to the LHC. However, when these new services, which are not being offered at the LHC, come on stream, they should serve as an encouragement for persons to seek health care at the UDH, he posited.
In the past, Riyastat said, the UDH was believed to treat only patients with infectious diseases. That perception, he noted, was highlighted by some Regional health officials, as one of the reasons for fewer attendance by persons seeking medical care at the hospital in recent years.
On a normal day, there are approximately 41 staff members present at the UDH, including doctors on call around the clock.
He added that a new ambulance is also expected to be stationed at the facility soon.
“We’re also looking at the Records department, to convert that into a pediatric ward, “he disclosed.
According to Riyastat LHC staff including doctors, nurses, technicians and social workers has been participating in numerous medical outreaches across Region 10, including several schools in the community.
The outreach team visits areas such as Mabura, Kwakwani and Aroaima fortnightly.
(Enid Joaquin)

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