New developments for Enmore Polyclinic

Source: Guyana Chronicle, 9th April 2008

THE Ministry of Health plans to provide more services at the Enmore Polyclinic before the end of the year.

The staff of the clinic and residents of the community were informed of this as Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, addressed them at a function held on Monday in observance of World Health Day.
With the threat posed by dengue as a result of climate change, there will be an expansion of the Ministry’s bed net programme.

The Enmore clinic will provide long-lasting impregnated nets for all pregnant women before delivery. This will become a part of the anti-natal programme.

Dr. Ramsammy said, “To this end another $20 million will be spent to provide a safer environment for children.”

Currently, bed nets are distributed mainly in hinterland regions and in some communities on the coastland in homes with pregnant women and families with young children.

Additionally, a programme will be started this year to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment for young women infected with the Human Papiloma Virus which causes cervical cancer.

The VIA treatment has been introduced at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and staff are currently being trained around the country to introduce the treatment.

“In 2008, VIA will be introduced at Enmore Polyclinic,” Minister Ramsammy said. The clinic will be held once per month.

The Enmore clinic will also benefit from the introduction of an eye clinic where an optometrist will visit every two weeks to do eye examinations and give prescriptions for glasses.

Additionally, the human resource capacity of the clinic will also be enhanced.

Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Dr. Michael Khan, said a registered nurse will be stationed at the clinic from May 1 to supplement the work being done by nurses and midwives at the clinic.

The Polyclinic has been an important extension of the GPHC in helping to promote quality health care for persons of Enmore and surrounding communities.

The clinic offers a range of services including dental, voluntary counselling and testing for HIV, and family planning at the maternal, child and health department.

There are also diabetic and hypertension clinics.

The function of the diabetic and hypertension clinic has proven to be a needed service in the community.

Last year, 4,477 diabetic patients visited the clinic, while 1,866 hypertensive patients were registered.

For 2007, the clinic treated 29,679 patients, an increase of 9,565 more than in 2006.

The Enmore Polyclinic was opened on March 22, 2002.