The Ministry of Health is developing a quality audit system to improve the standards of patient care across Guyana’s public healthcare sector.
The initiative introduces an additional layer of accountability that ensures healthcare workers follow established treatment guidelines and protocols when managing patients.
Speaking on the Starting Point Podcast on Sunday, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony said the audits are intended to identify gaps in patient care, particularly in the treatment of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension.
“Let’s say in diabetic care, we have these protocols, but maybe somebody at a health centre is not following the protocol, our internal quality audit would go out, pull random charts, check the charts, see whether or not the patient has been receiving the care that they should be receiving. If there is a gap, then they will point that out to the physician and the nurses and so forth,” he explained.
If shortcomings are identified, healthcare providers will be advised on corrective measures and given time to address the issues. In some cases, additional training may also be recommended.
Minister Anothony added that the ministry expects the audits to encourage stricter compliance with updated medical protocols and improve patient management throughout the system.
“You will start seeing a qualitative change in how our patients are being managed because everybody will be monitored,” he said.
Alongside the audit initiative, the government is also pursuing international accreditation standards for the new hospitals and other health facilities being established.
The minister said the country has been working with the Joint Commission International (JCI) to place six new hospitals on a pathway towards accreditation.
The process involves implementing strict operational and clinical protocols, alongside random inspections to assess whether facilities are complying with international standards.
He said the long-term goal is to extend those standards across the wider healthcare system.
“This is to ensure patients get the best care. That is the bottom line here,” the minister emphasised.