President Irfaan Ali has communicated to regional health officials and hospital administrators the importance of adhering to a new centralized medical supply system in Guyana. This warning was issued during a meeting held on Monday with Regional Health Officers, hospital administrators, Ministry of Health officials, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Narine Singh.
The new system is set to govern the procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies across the public health sector starting July 1. President Ali emphasized that the system will come with established standard operating procedures and defined responsibilities for sign-offs. He stated that officials must not bypass this process, warning, “If you act outside of that, we have no other choice but to send you home.”
Under the new arrangement, regions will no longer have the autonomy to independently purchase emergency drugs. Any emergency purchases will require approval through the centralized system and must be signed off by the Director of Regional Health Services, the Chief Medical Officer, and the head of the Materials Management Unit. Additionally, a broader committee, which includes the Minister of Health, an advisor, the Permanent Secretary, and the Chief Pharmacist, will convene monthly via Zoom to evaluate emergency supply needs across the public health system, including both the Georgetown Public Hospital and regional hospitals.
President Ali noted that this reform aims to enhance control, minimize waste, and prevent losses associated with expired, damaged, or overstocked medical supplies. The new platform is designed to provide health authorities with real-time visibility of available pharmaceuticals and medical supplies throughout the system. He acknowledged that certain supplies, such as antivenom and other critical items, may need to be stocked even if they are not frequently used, but emphasized that these items must still be managed through the Materials Management Unit.
He reiterated, “There is absolutely no situation where the regions must be purchasing emergency drugs unless there is a clear sign-off on the system.” The President also highlighted that the government’s investment in healthcare encompasses not only infrastructure and equipment but also the establishment of robust management and accountability systems. He reminded officials that hospitals and health facilities fall under their leadership and that they are expected to ensure compliance with the new system.
The centralized platform is currently operational, but as of July 1, all other systems will be phased out, making the centralized platform the exclusive method for managing medical supplies. The meeting also included Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony and Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.
Source: hgptv.com
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