Mackenzie Hospital...Seven years shy of a century with modern services

Mackenzie Hospital…Seven years shy of a century with modern services

Jun 04, 2018 News

Located on Casuarina Drive, Linden, the old Mackenzie Hospital, which is just seven years shy of a century, sits side by side a new building, its new and improved successor the new Linden Hospital Complex.

The Old Mackenzie Hospital

A single flat building, the Mackenzie Hospital was built in1925 by the Demerara Bauxite Company (DEMBA)
Measuring some 88 metres or 290 feet, the facility was reportedly opened with 75 beds.
The hospital was closed to in-patient service with the commissioning of the new $1.8B state of the art sister facility in 2009. However, the old building was not disposed of, but continues to function as the administrative block of the new hospital.
HUB OF ACTIVITY
These days, the old hospital has become a hub of activity once again, with the establishment of new services.
One such service is the Ophthalmology Department, which has recently been upgraded with an operating theatre, ophthalmologist consultation room, optometrist practising room, observation ward, and pre-anaesthesia room, among other new amenities.
The upgraded facility can now accommodate up to100 persons at a time and will provide better quality eye care services, according to CEO of the Linden Hospital Complex, Dr Farouk Riyastat.
Another facility recently established at the old building is the “Child Advocacy Centre”, which will allow for the simultaneous intervention of professionals from child protective services, health, law enforcement and victim support advocates.
These professionals will be working collaboratively, in the investigation, treatment, management and prosecution of child abuse cases. It is reportedly the seventh facility to be established across the country.
According to Managing Director Ayo Dalgetty-Dean, the Centre will be conducting forensic interviews of children who have been sexually abused.
Instead of the child having to repeatedly recount their harrowing experiences to various professionals, the centre will facilitate a “one stop shop” simultaneous interviewing process, where all concerned, would be present during an interview.
Dalgetty-Dean said that therapeutic or trauma-informed counselling would be carried out as well as victim advocacy and court support.
Parenting classes and outreaches to sensitise the community on child sexual abuse will also be conducted the Managing Director said.

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