CATEGORY:BUDGET CONSULTATIONS
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HEALTH for economic growth and human development is the theme for the Ministry of Health’s plan for the next five years.

In 2006 emphasis was on introducing the Health Promotion Strategies into the health programs, institutional strengthening and improve services, reconstruction and renovation of damage health facilities by hurricane Ivan, completion of a disaster management plan, the completion of the five (5) year Strategic Health Plan, environmental management and the preparation for World Cup Cricket 2007, Strengthened hospital management systems, improving the clinical governance in hospital services and phase II Hospital Project.

The highlights of our achievement for 2006 are as follow:

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
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1. Completion of 5 year strategic plan and implementation to commence 2007 – Theme of Plan - Health for economic growth and Human Development.

2. Disaster Plan completed to be implemented January 2007.

3. School of Nursing transferred to T. A Marryshow Community College and 46 students commenced program in October 2006.

4. Completed review of Planning Unit.

5. Completed review of Epidemiology Unit and Health information.

6. Developed and submitted proposal for Human Resource Management Unit.

7. Review Job Descriptions of selected positions Nursing, Medical Administration Personnel.
8. Secure definitive appointment of caretakers within the Community services.

9. Review Hospital user fees and Environmental fees.

10. Completed National Communicable Disaster Surveillance Manual.

11. Developed Policy for Health Care.

12. Mechanism in place to ensure the delivery of Health Services leaving the hosting of World Cup 2007 in conjunction with the Local Organizing Committee.


HOSPITAL SERVICES
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HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING
• Customer Services Training for 2006 Health Week sessions.
• Training for Security Officers in Crowd Management, Traffic Flow Control and Basic Self Defense
• Orientation conducted for Imani Trainees, Placement of Imani Trainees to various departments, submitted report for the commissioning of Intensive Care Unit: - equipment, staffing, supplies, financing and maintenance
• Communication and network among employees.
• Distribution of uniforms to staff according to Union negotiation.
• Training of Fire Extinguishers and Basic Security to one hundred employees.
• Training on BLS Instructor Course to eight instructors.
• Training on BLS Provider Course to twelve providers.
• Hiring of Pathologist Nephrologists.
• Increase internship positions from fourteen to seventeen
• Increase number of physician assignment to Accident and Emergency
ACUTE HOSPITAL SERVICES
• Continuation of visiting oncologist.
• Introduction of patients discharge summary at General Hospital.
• Re -introduction of grand rounds on medical and surgical services.

INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING
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• Completion of Disaster Management Plan for Hospital Services
• Introduction of dress code for visitors and patients
• Introduction of mandatory staffing identification for new security checks
• Strengthening of various departments through the introduction of so Imani workers
• Strengthening of Hospital Transport System will be one ambulance, major repair of another one and the addition of two (2) utility vehicles, one at General Hospital, the other at Princess Royal Hospital.
• Development of departmental operational plans to guide the departments.
• Instillation of new primary regulator and emergency standby regulator to Medical Gas Bank.
• Retrofitting of elevator at General Hospital with the purchase and installation of new parts.
• Procurement of one new Anaesthesia Machine for Operating Theatre
• Procurement of Medical Equipment and installation of same to I.C.U. for commissioning.
• Major refurbishment and retrofitting of Hospital Laundry at Queens Park
• Purchase and installation of New television sets for Private Ward
• Completion of half yearly performance review for Hospital Services.


INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
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• Installation of new roof and general refurbishment of Richmond Home
• Commenced reconstruction of roof and rebuilding of one section of Princess Alice Hospital
• Completion of all post Ivan staffing works at General Hospital.
• Completion of Nursing School Building.
• Appointment of two contract painters to ensure the adequate maintenance of hospital buildings.
• Refurbishment of Hospital Kitchen
• Repair of Doctors’ Residence at Princess Alice Hospital


COMMUNICATION
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• Production of patient information brochure
• Hold media briefing ( 2)
REVENUE ENHANCEMENT
• Approximately 15% increase in revenue


COMMUNITY SERVICES
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Extended Hours
• Extended hours have been instituted in the St. George’s Health Centre. To support this service:-
• A District Medical Officer has been contracted to work evenings at the St. George’s Health Centre
• Pharmaceutical Services are provided during the extended hours
• Security services have been extended to give coverage during the extended hours
• Plans have been put in place to offer dental services during the extended hours

Primary Health Care
• Primary Health Care Teams have been re-established at St. George’s and Carriacou.
• Preliminary plans have been put in place for re-establishment of the Primary Health Care Team in Gouyave.
• Plans are in place for strengthening/extending the Primary Health Care Teams of St. Andrew, St. Patrick and St. David’s.

Health Fairs
• A policy document to guide in the administration and management of Health Fairs in Grenada, was prepared, approved by the Policy Committee, and submitted for Cabinet approval.
• Disaster Mitigation
• Disaster Preparedness Plans are updated
• In collaboration with NaDMA, desktop simulation exercises have been held with the Primary Health Care Teams of Carriacou and St. George’s
• Plans are in place for conducting desktop exercise with the other Primary Health Care Teams.

Maintenance
• An agent has been contracted for the removal of biomedical and other wastes from the St. George’s Health Centre.
• There was an amicable resolution to the boundary dispute at the St. George’s Health Centre facilitating maintenance of an acceptable fire escape route at that facility.

Chronic Disease Management
• Foot Care and general Diabetes Management workshops were carried out at the district level
• Some strategies in regard to improved Chronic Disease management have been implemented.

Facilities
• Temporary Health Care Facility was established at Sauteurs to allow the Sauteurs Health Centre to be repaired.
• Repairs have begun on the Sauteurs Health Centre with occupancy scheduled for late 2006.
• Mt. Rich Health Care Facility have been repaired
• Repair work started on:
• Mt. Carmel
• Woburn
• Grand Bras
• L’Esterre

Community Nursing
• In 2005 100% immunization coverage was achieved in the following areas:
• DPT
• HIB
• HEPB
• MMR
• Polio
• 2006 Immunization scheduling on target showing coverage parallel to 2005.


PRIORITIES AREAS 2007:
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The Ministry of Health priority areas for 2007 are also hinged on the priorities for year-one of the draft five-year Strategic Health Plan.

1. Preparation for World Cup 2007
 Medical
2. Communicable and Chronic Disease
 Introduction of the Health Promotion strategy
3. Mental Health
 Institutions and Community
4. Health Information Systems
 Data bases and data
 Annual Health System Report
 Data collection and analysis
 Research
 Vital statistic
6. Human Resource Management and Development
 Performance management

7. Health Financing
 Budgets
 Resource allocation
 Financial management and auditing
 Cost recovery
 National Health Accounts
8. Physical Infrastructure
 Hospitals and Community facilities.
9. Management and Health Systems.
 Health Needs Assessment
 Functional Planning Unit
 Participating planning mechanics
 Quality of care
 Project development
 Resource mobilization
 Research
 Development of strategic and operational plans
 Monitoring and evaluation


PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED
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Phase 11 of the General Hospital Project is scheduled to be completed by December 2007. The Venezuelan Government will provide US10 Million while the Government of Grenada US$3.5Million. The contractor has promised us Section “A” which will house the A&E Department. Already equipment has been ordered for the A&E and Physiotherapy departments.

Work will begin on the Princess Royal Hospital and Vector Control Building while work with continue on Central Medical Stores, all funded by a World Bank Loan. Commitment has also been made by a funding agency to continue the work started on the reconstruction of Princess Alice Hospital.

Projects has been submitted the Caribbean Development Bank (BNTF) program for funding to rebuild Tovili, Paraclete and Grand Anse Community Health facilities.

In order to improve professionalism, management training programs will begin in January for all Management Teams and the Policy Team of the Ministry. Training will be carried out by CARCID. This we hope will assist with the implementation of the 5 year Strategic Plan for Health.

Work will also be intensified in the area of Vector & Rodent Control. Early training programs will be held for all food handlers to help us meet the challenge of Food Safety
in Grenada.

At the Community level, Gynecology clinics will be extended to all parishes. Extended hours will also be instituted at some Health Centres. All primary health care teams will be fully functional and the School health program will be properly organized.

Work will continue to ensure at least 80% of the PAHO program budget is implemented as well as Global Fund funded programs.