Annai residents no longer have to travel long distances for medical care

Residents of Annai and surrounding villages in the North Rupununi, Region Nine, will no longer have to travel long hours to the Lethem Regional Hospital or the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to access health services, as the new, modern Annai District Hospital was commissioned on Friday.

For the very first time, surgical procedures will be conducted today at the hospital by a team of 11 medical professionals from GPHC over the next two days. Residents will also benefit from a wide range of medical services.

Trenton Robertson, a resident of Annai, recalled how difficult it was to travel to the Lethem Regional Hospital to receive medical care. He shared that residents usually had to pay $6,000 for transportation to Lethem.

“It was really hard for us. We had to travel far. We used to pay $6,000 for the round trip to Lethem Regional Hospital. But now that we have this, it has become easier. I’m glad to see the ambulance that was provided to us. This is very good—what our president is doing for Annai village,” Robertson told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Nurse-in-Charge at the Annai District Hospital, Camilla Johnnie, stated that transitioning the Annai Health Centre into a district hospital is a major step toward improving healthcare access for residents.

“When I came here in 2021, it was a health centre. It was difficult for us to go to Lethem. At that time, we didn’t have any transportation or ambulance,” she said.

Nurse Johnnie explained that the opening of the hospital has also eliminated the need for patients, especially those from riverine areas, to be referred to Lethem for medical services.

“Residents used to cry out that it was difficult for them, since they had no financial support or relatives in Lethem to stay with when they were discharged. I feel really happy for the people of this district that they no longer have to go far,” she added.

“This is a new step forward for the healthcare team at the Annai District Hospital. It gives us more space, equipment, and resources to provide quality nursing care to the patients we serve.”

Eleanor Joel, a resident of Annai Central, said the new facility will provide a comfortable space for residents from riverine villages such as Crashwater, Rewa, and Apoteri to receive medical care and treatment.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at the community Benab in Rupertee, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony stated that the hospital’s opening clearly demonstrates the progress achieved in delivering efficient healthcare to remote communities.

“In the past, people used to leave Region Nine, cross the Takutu Bridge, and go to Brazil to get medical care. That was the trend for many years. Today, because of the quality of healthcare on our side of the border, we are seeing the traffic going the other way. That is why people are coming to us. It is a testament to the quality of healthcare professionals at the Lethem Regional Hospital,” he said.

Minister Anthony stated that nearly $36 million was invested in upgrading and modernizing the Annai District Hospital. An additional $76 million was spent on the hospital’s surgical theatre and relevant medical equipment. The government also invested $14 million to retrofit the laboratory facilities and another $14 million for a new storage bond.

Approximately $28 million was used to build staff quarters, and another $48 million will be spent to furnish them. An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and an $18 million ambulance were also provided to the hospital to improve transportation access.

Additionally, a new X-ray machine costing about $60 million has been procured and will soon be installed at the facility.

Minister Anthony concluded by stating that close to $236 million has been spent on the Annai Hospital over the years. “We are making big investments in the region. We are making investments in the people. We want people to be healthy. If you have facilities like this, it is going to help people stay healthy. When they’re sick, they can now come here and get the services they need. People now have a place to receive treatment.”

In total, investments amounting to more than $450 million have been spent to advance healthcare in this sub-region over the last couple of years. (DPI)