The Ministry of Health on Monday launched the first dedicated multi-million-dollar health boat, The Lady J in Region Two Pomeroon/ Supenaam as part of observances for Oral Health Month.
Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy told the gathering that the vessel was named in honour of former president, the late Janet Jagan, the country’s first female health minister. Jagan was the first minister to have established a health centre along the coast in Region Two and as such the boat was dedicated to the people of that community, he added.
Ramsammy said that Guyana is the only country in the Caribbean, and one of the few countries in the world that boasts a river-based oral health care service. The boat will serve Amerindian villages and persons living in riverain communities and it is equipped with two dentist’s chairs and other dental equipment and will have a full-time dental technician assigned.
“The boat will carry a special ambulance to…bring people from out of the river to the Charity hospital,” Ramsammy said. According to the minister the vessel is a testament to government’s commitment to provide quality and efficient oral health services. He also said that a special team of doctors and dentists would be assigned to work on The Lady J and at intervals outreach programmes would be held in the riverain communities.
Ramsammy also stated that there are 400 dental health centres operational across the country. “Our vision is to bring health to the people. There are 36 practising dentists in Guyana and by next year this same time we are looking forward to add a next four graduants to the team of dentists…the fact that we have 30 students in the CJDS [Cheddi Jagan Dental School] in such a short time means that the school is here now and ever as a national heritage to Guyana,” he said.
During November the ministry, in collaboration with Colgate Palmolive Limited, will be offering free dental care. Students and the public can benefit from the free service which would be offered at the Anna Regina Multilateral School during the day. In addition, after the gathering at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital, Colgate distributed toothbrushes and toothpaste.
In his address, Region Two Chairman Ali Baksh said “The boat will serve as an aquatic ambulance to the people of the riverain areas.” He noted that he is satisfied with the number of oral health programmes implemented in the region and is pleased that it has provided a dental boat as well. Permanent Secretary at the ministry Hydar Ally, Regional Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo, REO Parmanand and Sunil Singh also attended the launch.
