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Heath care in Region Two challenged by major drug shortages
Health care on the Essequibo Coast is facing a major drug shortage. The shortage is believed to be countrywide. It is very obvious at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital. 
Members of Parliament Dr. Vindhya Persaud and Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, said they found it compelling to pay the hospital in Charity a visit. Dr. Mahadeo made it clear that the visit was not intended to ridicule the hospital and its staff. Rather, its main focus was to find ways in which the hospital could maximize its performance.
According to the Ward Sister Dame Hercules, the hospital is heavily dependent on the Suddie Hospital for adequate distribution of pharmaceutical drugs. Some bond shelves at the Suddie Hospital however have been empty for the past three months.
Hercules said that there are some 45 drug items on the hospital’s nil list. The institution is currently out of tablets, including Vitamin E, Vitamin C 500 mg, Tamoxifen, and Cortem. There are also some twelve types of injections that are not available.
She added that the OSDH had not been receiving its medical supplies on time. “From time to time we would prescribe and ask relatives to purchase the drugs from the pharmacies, and if they can’t afford the purchase we would try to assist them to some extent.”
She added that the hospital would usually transfer patients to Suddie when there’s a problem that they cannot address. “We usually end up transferring patients to the Suddie Hospital three to five times a day. Persons coming with fractures have to be referred to the Suddie Hospital because the OSDH does not have the trained staff to undertake the task. Cost for transporting on the other hand is hype.”
The hospital administration made a special request for trained and specialized staff at the hospital. The staff comprises General Medical practitioners. No surgeries are performed at present since there is no team trained to perform surgery at the hospital. There is also a vacant position for a Pharmacist.
According to Dr. Vindhya Persaud, there are plans to recommend doctors for training in Georgetown. The Oscar Joseph Hospital has an average of 150 out patients. It serves Region One, the Pomeroon and the Essequibo Coast.
People expect to have service in health care when they leave the Pomeroon for the Coast, Dr. Persaud said.
“When they arrive at the Hospital in Charity they are told that the drug they are looking for is unavailable. Specialists would reduce the referrals. Priority must be given to Suddie and Suddie only has one team to handle surgeries.”
Dr Mahadeo said that the Oscar Joseph Hospital has significantly lost its standards. He recalled that in the 90s people from as far as Region Three would come to use the Oscar Joseph Hospital.
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