We give every Guyanese health vouchers, they gave themselves a health insurance policy – Edghill reminds of uncaring APNU+AFC

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill has reminded of the uncaring nature of the APNU+AFC administration from 2015-2020.

“We give every Guyanese a health voucher and…they gave themselves a health insurance policy…,” he reminded residents who gathered at a public meeting hosted by the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) in Retrieve, Mackenzie, Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Tuesday.

He was referring to the then David Granger-led administration’s introduction of a luxurious health insurance scheme for its cabinet members. Reports indicated that the deal cost over $38M annually. There were also concerns about the secrecy in which the deal was struck.

While this was done, the local healthcare sector under the APNU+AFC was deteriorating, with reports of massive drug shortages countrywide. Additionally, there were none to limited investments in the sector, to either expand or improve healthcare services.

Edghill indicated that this is in contrast with the approach of the PPP government which has introduced a number of vouchers to ensure all citizens have improved access to healthcare services.

These vouchers include the $10,000 universal healthcare voucher, the $2000 eye testing voucher with an additional $15,000 financial support if spectacles are needed, and the $8000 cervical cancer screening voucher.

The PPP administration is also offering an annual subsidy of $600,000 to citizens requiring hemodialysis treatment.

Additionally, the Guyana Government, through the Ministry of Health, is implementing a comprehensive school health screening programme to improve students’ well-being. This initiative involves regular screenings for various health issues throughout a student’s school life and it aims to detect potential health problems early, enabling timely interventions and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Moreover, within the last five years, the PPP administration has made significant investments towards building a modern healthcare sector that offers high quality services to all citizens.

This includes the construction of new hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country and the introduction of telemedicine services.

The APNU and the AFC are seeking to be re-elected to government. While they had coalesced for the 2015 and 2020 elections, the two political parties are contesting the polls separately this year.