The Ministry of Health is moving to strengthen accountability at healthcare facilities by conducting random checks to determine whether doctors and nurses are following established clinical guidelines.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said teams from the ministry will examine patient records at hospitals and other facilities to assess whether healthcare workers are complying with treatment guidelines, including those for diabetes and hypertension.
The initiative will not only identify shortcomings but will also give facilities an opportunity to correct them before follow-up assessments are conducted.
“If you are compliant with the guidelines, then you get a star. If you are not compliant, then we will point out to you where you have deficiencies and we will give you some time to make sure that you comply,” Anthony said.
The minister explained that improving Guyana’s healthcare system cannot be limited to constructing modern hospitals and upgrading infrastructure. He said greater attention must also be placed on the standard of care patients receive.
“We cannot want a world-class system where we have nice hospitals and so forth, but we are not improving the quality of care,” he stressed.
Anthony also called on healthcare professionals to continuously improve their skills and ensure that knowledge gained through training is reflected in the treatment of patients.
He further stressed the importance of professionalism and empathy when dealing with patients, warning that poor attitudes and failure to follow established procedures can negatively affect the quality of healthcare.
The random assessments form part of the government’s wider push to improve clinical standards and ensure investments in the health sector result in better patient care.
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