[www.inewsguyana.com] – The National Ophthalmology hospital, located in Port Mourant, Berbice, Region Six, is once again set to open its doors to the public after was forced to cease operations because of damage caused by a fire approximately one year ago.
However after a visit by Health Minister George Norton, he deemed the facility fit for operations and these are to commence on Monday, June 22, starting with cataract surgeries.
However, despite the recommencement of services to the public, only one of the theatres will be fully functional, as some lighting issues and a damaged piece of equipment have to be looked at prior.
“Surgeries will begin on Monday, but only one theatre will be working, because one of the bulbs is overused, according to the doctors, and in another, the microscope is on the roof and was damaged by rainfall,” Norton stated.
The Minister said he was very surprised that medical professionals would refuse to work because of something as trivial as a non-working light bulb adding that the hospital is well equipped, but needs more human resources.
He said that he was surprised to hear of the hours that the doctors ‘put in’ during one week, noting that they work 60 hours, and then are still on call for the weekends.
This, he noted is overworking and can have serious implications on the human body and also hinder the performance of the medical professionals. [Extracted and modified from GINA]
