After devoting 15 years of service to the Amerindian village of Massara, Upper Takutu -Upper Essequibo, Lenny Moses is set to return as a community health worker (CHW), effectively ending an 18-month break.
This development follows Saturday’s community consultation spearheaded by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) said that Deputy Toshao, Khan Browne had brought Massara’s lack of a CHW to the Minister’s attention.
The Deputy Toshao said after Moses had resigned a few years ago for personal reasons, he was replaced by a non-resident CHW who visited the community twice per week.
“A few weeks after, they dropped it down to one time per week [because] the Region doesn’t have fuel. The other time, they [the Regional Administration] said if you want the CHW to go in, you have to provide him with fuel,” the Deputy Toshao explained, according to DPI.
He described the fuel cost to transport the CHW as onerous on the village. Residents were also forced to travel for miles to Annai due because of the lack of a CHW.
Upon the plea of Dharamlall, Moses who was present at the meeting agreed to resume his service. The Minister said the CHW would begin his duties on December 1.
Meanwhile, Dharamlall briefed residents on Government’s plan to train additional health workers.
“We want two health workers per village, and our aim is to train 114,” the Minister stated.
Other issues to be addressed in Massara include the construction of a sanitation block and structural upgrades to the health post, DPI said.
