-Fort Wellington rehab unit commissioned

Although the budget for the rehabilitation department of the Ministry of Health has been increased over the years by over 1,000% it is still not adequate to cater for the needs of persons with disabilities.

Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said yesterday that the amount would still have to be significantly increased because of the kind of service his ministry would like to provide for persons with disabilities.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the rehabilitation unit at the Fort Wellington Hospital, Dr. Ramsammy said the ministry has obtained its first vehicle designed to cater for the needs of differently-able persons.

The vehicle would be operated in Georgetown and the minister said “it’s a start but government is trying to meet the needs of all citizens” and “…would take it to the end.”

He noted that in the past persons with disabilities were “condemned to a life of embarrassment” but that has changed and “persons with disability is no less a citizen in our country and have every right to contribute.”

With the passing of the Disability Bill differently-able persons should have the rights they deserve. It is now law for public buildings to provide access to persons with wheelchairs.

Recognizing that minibuses do not stop for persons with wheelchairs or walking sticks, Ramsammy said he hoped that “every year for rehab week a new vehicle would be commissioned.”

He pointed out that nine out of the 10 regions provide comprehensive rehabilitation services and that the ministry is working to have the service commissioned in Region Eight by next year.

He said as government aims to improve the services, the University of Guyana would be offering diploma and degree programmes in rehabilitative medicine. Through physiotherapy persons suffering from strokes are no longer confined to bed [as happened in the past] and “wait to die” but can get back on their feet.

The minister announced that a mobile health unit (boat), equipped with dental, optometry, audiology and other services would be commissioned in two weeks so persons in Region One can access better health care.

Schoolchildren, he said, would have an opportunity to enter a competition to find a name for the mobile unit and win prizes.

A bus, equipped with the medical services would also be available in Regions Five and Six and other areas and would spend a period of three months in each area.

The minister noted that while more doctors, nurses, medexes and other health workers have joined the health department many young persons who have been trained are not getting jobs.

At the opening ceremony three persons were presented with wheelchairs and Ramsammy said government has committed to providing each person who needs a wheelchair with one.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ruth Quaicoe, Head of the Audiology Clinic in her address said that rehabilitation services began eight years ago in Region Five.

She said persons no longer have to travel to New Amsterdam and Georgetown to access the services which are also available at the Mahaicony Hospital. Dr. Quaicoe said that early rehabilitation can allow for early patient discharge.

Also making brief remarks at the ceremony which was chaired by Regional Health Officer, Dr. Adriana James were Regional Chairman; Harrinarine Baldeo and Regional Vice-chairman, Karran Persaud Deokarran.