$ 53.5B government earmarks for the health sector
Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Kaieteur News – The Government has earmarked $ 53.5 billion in the 2021 National Budget for Guyana’s health sector. The announcement was made by the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Ashni Singh yesterday, as he unveiled the 2021 Budget in the National Assembly.
Singh stressed the state of the health sector that he inherited from his administration when he took office in August. “Mr. Spokesman, the year 2020 was an indescribably challenging world in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Government took office and inherited a public health sector that was struggling to respond to the crisis. ”
He listed drug shortages, the lack of active medical equipment among overriding issues in the public health sector, noting that it had led to a further decline in the already sick health system.
Singh further noted that his administration aims to transform the healthcare system with world-class standards driving their actions over the next five years. To do so, he said the government will expand care at a specialty level resulting in a wider range of services being offered to Guyanese; developing a “sufficient, trained, competent and compassionate” healthcare workforce; and modernizing and expanding health facilities nationwide.
The government also plans to strengthen partnerships with the private sector and civil societies in the country to fulfill their commitments.
In light of the above, Singh announced that $ 1.8 billion will be spent to purchase critical medical equipment for the public health sector. Under the $ 1.8 billion, $ 99.8 million is budgeted to re-equip the ophthalmology hospital in Port Mourant, which is the only one of its kind in Guyana. Further, Singh noted that the government also plans to spend $ 322 million to acquire medical equipment such as respirators and anesthesia machines. This said it will expand diagnostic and treatment capacity at the National Referral Hospital.
A sum of $ 35 million has been earmarked to strengthen the capacity of the emergency medical services and a holistic plan for the introduction of ambulance authority is also being drawn up.
In addition, the government is also focusing on improving mental health in Budget 2021. Singh shared that in striving for greater resilience and access to mental health services at a national level, the government will build an 18-bed mental health ward in the National Referral Hospital at the tune of $ 26 million. A review and revision of the outdated Mental Health Act 1930 will also be undertaken as it has been “grossly ignored” by Singh’s words.
Over $ 140 million will also be spent to fund the homes and maternity stay facilities in Moruca, Enmore, and Kato and the New Amsterdam hospital will see a $ 100 million injection for the ward construction and retrofit maternity and the wing.