The township of Mabaruma, and the community of Port Kaituma in Region One will be the beneficiaries of an upcoming medical outreach organized by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana in collaboration with several other organisations.
The other collaborating agencies include the United States Embassy, Office of the First Lady, Guyana Medical Relief (GMR), and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the National AIDS Programmes Secretariat (NAPS), amongst others. The outreach commences on August 2nd and concludes on August 6th, 2021.
At a press conference held on Wednesday at the Bookland Gardens, representatives from the various organisations shared their intended contribution and offered thanks to the partnering organisations.
GMR Chief Operations Officer Sharir Chan stated that the outreach will include general medical checkups, in addition to other services such as HIV testing and counselling, COVID-19 vaccination, psychiatric assistance and dental services among others. However, he identified the organization’s main forte as focusing on to be women’s health where they will be conducting Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA). Chan noted that the objective of the outreach is to see 1000 individuals each from both Mabaruma and Port Kaituma.
Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, in his appreciation remarks, also advised the representatives that the Mabaruma hospital is presently under rehabilitation. Dr. Anthony said that Guyana and the British Government are working together to rehabilitate the hospital and to put in place new theaters, and so some services may not be available.
He noted that while there is a fairly good facility in Port Kaituma all the services there are also not available. Anthony explained that the ministry is presently working to input some of the necessary equipment and hope to have these operational by the end of the year. However, he said he still welcomed the team as he acknowledged that the Ministry can use the extra help to assist. The minister believes that once the project is properly organized and with advanced sensitization, the teams can expect a large turnout of persons, not only from Mabaruma and Port Kaituma but from satellite villages and other far flung communities. He commended the wide range of services that will be provided and noted its importance to the communities. From the perspective of the Ministry of Health, Anthony said he welcomed the collaboration and look forward to working with many more partners in future to further increase the range of medical services needed. He further commended the GMR for the various infrastructural works done at various regional hospitals and clinics.
Dr Anthony further encouraged the team heading out to the outreach to help with the vaccination process by continuing to encourage persons of the importance of being vaccinated. He revealed that there are reports of the Delta Variant in neighbouring countries. He explained that this variant is much more infectious, causes more hospitalisation and deaths, but those who are fully vaccinated are likely to experience a milder form of the disease. He further reiterated the importance of getting vaccinated and asked that the team spend time dispelling the myths circulating about the vaccine. In closing the minister stated that the Government of Guyana is not discriminating against anyone coming into the country and stated that vaccination is being offered to those persons, if they are interested in taking it.
Meanwhile, United States Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, in her address, said that the outreach underscores the US Embassy initiative to support Guyana in the areas of improved governance, enhance security and prosperity for all. She said that the US based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Surgical and Medical Support Group will be providing medical personnel to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) and some will be seconded to the outreach activities to Region One. Lynch, who disclosed that the medical personnel team are excited to share their knowledge and skills, added that they will also provide critical medical services and training in several area of concerns, including women’s health, basic trauma care among others. Other representatives present expressed their appreciation for the collaborative work to better serve the people through the outreach to be held.
