Dr. Eric Peña, Vice President of the Centre for Global Health at Northwell Health, has praised the significant advancements in Guyana’s healthcare system since his initial visit in 2019. He noted improvements in partnerships, nursing support, and overall development momentum.
Since establishing a formal partnership with Guyana in 2017, Northwell Health has collaborated with the Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to facilitate impactful changes in the healthcare sector.
Dr. Peña pointed out that a primary short-term objective is enhancing nursing support. He mentioned the nursing assistant course and the development of supporting roles within hospitals that allow registered nurses (RNs) to concentrate on advanced clinical functions. This innovative model does not necessitate an RN degree, resulting in heightened efficiency and improved patient care.
Looking to the future, Dr. Peña conveyed a long-term vision for collaborative growth, stating, “We aim for a sustained relationship that evolves with the healthcare landscape.” He reassured that while progress may not be immediately observable, it is undeniably present, noting, “We’ve got to roll our sleeves up and keep going; there’s a lot of momentum building.”
Dr. Peña highlighted Guyana as a priority for Northwell’s global health efforts due to its strong connections to the Guyanese community, which is vital to Northwell’s patient base. Concurrently, the Guyanese government is making strides with various health initiatives, focusing on boosting pay for healthcare workers, enhancing diagnostic services, and extending healthcare accessibility in rural areas.
With strategic partnerships, Guyana is poised to modernize its healthcare system and make significant strides towards a better future.
Source: guyanachronicle.com
