Azruddin Mohamed and his We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) movement have raised concerns over the treatment and working conditions of nurses attached to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, accusing the government of publicly praising healthcare workers while neglecting their concerns behind the scenes.
In a statement issued Thursday during Nurses Week, Mohamed said his office had been informed of several challenges affecting nurses at the regional hospital.
“Nurses Praised Publicly, Neglected Privately,” the statement declared.
According to the Opposition Leader, “while the PPP government floods social media with polished Nurses Week messages, nurses on the ground are facing confusion, poor treatment, and worsening working conditions behind the scenes.”
Mohamed claimed several nurses were afraid to publicly discuss their concerns due to fear of victimization and possible loss of employment.
“Several nurses claim they are afraid to speak publicly because they fear victimization and losing their jobs,” the statement said.
The allegations outlined by WIN included claims that some nurses received only uniform allowances while being denied leave allowance benefits. Others, Mohamed said, were allegedly instructed to repay leave allowance funds already received.
The statement further alleged that nurses were denied the April double salary despite having worked continuously since 2023.
“They were allegedly told they must ‘work to earn’ it,” the statement noted.
WIN also raised concerns about shortages of basic medical supplies at the hospital, including gloves and syringes.
“This is happening while healthcare workers continue to face shortages of basic supplies such as gloves and syringes. We are told expired gloves were distributed for use,” Mohamed stated.
The concerns come amid ongoing Nurses Week activities in Guyana, observed annually during the week of May 12 and culminating on International Nurses Day. The observance recognizes the contribution nurses make to healthcare delivery and public health while also drawing attention to issues affecting the profession.
Public sector nurses in Guyana are represented by the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), which has historically advocated on behalf of nurses and other public servants on issues relating to wages, working conditions, allowances, staffing, and workplace rights.
Healthcare workers in Guyana have repeatedly raised concerns in recent years over shortages of supplies, staffing pressures, compensation disputes, and conditions within regional health institutions.
The government has simultaneously promoted major investments in healthcare infrastructure and expansion projects across the country, including new hospitals, training initiatives, and recruitment programmes.
However, Mohamed argued that the concerns being raised by nurses at the West Demerara Regional Hospital require urgent intervention.
“The WIN movement is calling on the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, the REO and the Region 3 administration to immediately address these concerns, provide clarity to affected nurses, and ensure that healthcare workers are treated with fairness and respect,” the statement concluded.
Up to press time, there had been no public response from the Ministry of Health or the Region Three administration regarding the allegations.
