The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Wednesday presented a stock of 1,250 wheelchairs, walkers and canes to the Health Ministry, to assist persons with disabilities, particularly those who are unable to move about independently.
The handing over took place at the Ministry’s Materials Management Unit, at Kingston, the Government Information Agency (GINA) has reported.
Around this time last year, the ministry received 250 children and adult wheelchairs along with walkers, crutches, ferrules and canes from the Church, which has been providing such items to the health ministry for over five years.
The Church has also provided training to more than 20 persons from the 10 administrative regions, enabling them to repair wheelchairs. The Church also provides wheelchair spares to the Ptolemy Reid Centre, where a repair workshop is located, GINA said. Meanwhile, new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Leslie Cadogan, was appreciative for the contribution and stressed that the ministry will be making full use of the items. He urged the staff of the Materials Management Unit to effectively distribute the items to ensure that they are used for the intended purposes.
And the President of the Church’s Georgetown District, Dellon Murray, noted that this year has been a great one for its humanitarian service, which has resulted not only in the donation to the ministry but also to the Guyana Relief Council, the Men’s Affairs Bureau and Food for the Poor.
According to GINA, the Health Ministry has been able to provide transportation for persons in the city, particularly those seeking health services, attending school and accessing services at the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
