Latest update January 20th, 2025 4:00 AM
A&E Unit at Port Mourant Hospital receives upgrade
The Accident and Emergency Department of the Port Mourant Hospital has received an upgrade to the tune of $4.5 million as the Berbice Regional Health Authority [BRHA] ups the ante in health care delivery across Region six.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, among others, at the commissioning of the upgraded facility.
The major undertaking is a fruit of the growing friendly relations between Guyana Medical Relief (G.M.R) Inc., the Regional Administration and Regional Health Authority.
Chief Operations Officer of G.M.R, Sharir Chan, assisted Prime Minster Samuel Hinds and Chief Executive Officer of the BRHA, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, to unveil a plaque, and participated in the ceremonial ribbon-cutting exercise to mark the improvement of the facility.
The Prime Minister delivering the main address encouraged the many medical staff present not to withhold but when called upon, serve each other diligently. Health workers were also urged not to vent their frustrations on the usually helpless and vulnerable health care seekers, but be a source of comfort. In wrapping up his remarks, the Prime Minister noted that by following issues in the press, it is easily discerned how polarized Guyanese have become, and he used the opportunity to call on health workers to close the gaps and merge their unique experiences to better serve each other.
Regional Administrative Chairman David Armogan, who also spoke at the event, disclosed that the RDC had embraced the opportunity to partner with G.M.R to provide part of the funding to complete rehabilitation of this particular department of the hospital. Armogan noted that his administration welcomes collaboration with private partners to bring improvement to the lives of all Guyanese. He commended the G.M.R for coming on board and responding to the need at the Port Mourant Hospital. Staff and members of the public were also implored to utilize the facility in a respectable manner and ensure it is not abused and cast into a rundown state.
Discussions over improving the A&E Department at Port Mourant was transformed into actual work when Hospital Administrator [ag] Melissa Ramdeen was able to secure the funding from G.M.R. Sharir Chand accepted the project as a mark for his agency’s 30th anniversary serving as a non-governmental organisation.
The project was done in honour of founder of the G.M.R and Berbician by birth, Eula Kennard-Menzies, who resides in the United States. The founder originates from Port Mourant and her father was among the first medical doctors to have served at the facility.
At a simple ceremony, Chand delivered an overview of the project and made several additional commitments to the Regional Health Authority in the area of improving health care delivery. Over the past five years the G.M.R constructed VIA clinics in the Bartica, Charity and, Mahaicony hospitals. Significant charitable projects are also ongoing in hinterland communities as the G.M.R continues to focus its resources towards improving women and children’s health locally.
Dr. Mahadeo explained that the new design would allow the ambulance to deliver arriving patients directly into the A&E Department allowing for privacy and less movement of patients. The refurbished area now has adequate space to set up an intensive care unit, area for triaging, and adequate space for doctors to work effectively.
The opportunity was also taken to remind the gathering of the other commitments made which included a portable ultrasound machine for Port Mourant Hospital, 35 complete beds for the Acute Care Centre at the National Psychiatric Hospital, defibrillators and equipping the Health and Wellness Army launched in 2013.
Over the past two years the Port Mourant Hospital has been going through a process of regaining the confidence of the public, and according to Administrator Melissa Ramdeen, the focus is now on expanding services offered.
Speaking after the ceremony, Ramdeen disclosed that the number of deliveries have increased significantly over the past year and current renovations in the upper-flat conducted by the Regional Democratic Council has facilitated major improvement to the maternity ward and labour room. The facility currently has a doctor in charge and four others serving Port Mourant and surrounding areas.
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