Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, yesterday handed over five boats and engines purchased with $23m in Government of Guyana funds.
A release from the Ministry of Health said that the boats and engines are expected to enhance healthcare delivery in regions one (Barima-Waini), three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), and five (Mahaica-Berbice).
During his brief remarks, Anthony explained, that not only will the boats be used for medical emergency transportation, but they will also be used to conduct medical outreaches within the various regions.
“With these boats, the primary use will be to move patients in an emergency setting, but we’ll also be using these boats to do outreaches because of the remoteness where they’ll be operating. Villages are often very far apart and what we want to do is put medical teams in these boats so that they can go to various communities and deliver care”, he said.
Meanwhile, Hinterland Coordinator Michael Gouveia, who was also present, said that these boats and engines will be integrated into the fleet within the respective regions to address transportation needs and ensuring safe and adequate patient transportation.
Also present at handover were Deputy Director (Ag) for Regional Health Services, Dr Ravendra Dudhnath; Warehouse Manager for the Central Supply Unit, Kingston, Silhouette Craig; Logistics Coordinator, Sherwin Anderson; General Medical Officer for Region One, Dr Anil Tulise; Regional Health Officer for Region Three, Dr Erica Forte amd Regional Health Officer for Region Five, Dr Theresa Sarju.
