Guyana: Telemedicine pilot shows success as a potential solution for long-distance referrals for Nappi patients

Guyana: The Health Ministry of the Republic of Guyana has informed that on behalf of the Dr Frank Anthony, a high-level team from the Ministry of Health on Saturday visited the Nappi Health Centre in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) to get a first-hand look and access the trail of the telemedicine pilot project.

During the simulation exercise, the team was impressed with how well the Community Health Worker, Marisha Singh, handled the computerised system and connected via a video conference call with the Medical Specialist at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation o access and diagnose the patient’s condition.

The instruments used to access the patient’s condition are connected through the online platform, which allows both parties to view readings and perform virtual examinations.

Telemedicine allows Emergency Room Specialists to provide expert support to other healthcare workers in remote locations. This removes the need to transfer patients to the Regional Hospitals or, in some cases, eliminates the need for a medivac, the process of airlifting a patient to the city for medical care.

Friday’s team was led by Dr Narine Singh, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Ministry of Health; Dr Ertenisa Hamilton, Director of Family and Primary Health Care Services; Micheal Gouveia, Hinterland Coordinator; Dr Cedel Mc Watt, Regional Health Officer (RHO) and Brian Allicock, Regional Chairman of Region Nine.