142 children medically screened under First Lady’s Adopt an Orphanage initiative

Under the banner of the Office of the First Lady with support from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, 142 children from 10 orphanages in Guyana benefitted from medical screening on Wednesday.
Through the Adopt an Orphanage initiative, the Chinese Embassy in Guyana provided 16 medical personnel to provide a range of healthcare services, such as heart, eyes, spine and extremities, and dental check-ups to the children at Baridi Benab, State House, Main Street, Georgetown.

Institutions that benefitted included Hope Children’s Home, Shaheed’s Boys Orphanage, Shaheed’s Girls Orphanage, Joshua’s Children Centre, Ruimveldt Children Home, Bless the Children Home, Prabhu Sharam Orphanage, St John’s Bosco Orphanage, and Red Cross Convalescent Home.
First Lady Arya Ali stated that the Adopt an Orphanage initiative continues to focus on providing holistic support to children in institutional care.
“Children in institutional care require greater medical care and attention for a number of reasons. First, children in general have weaker immune systems when compared to our adults. This, therefore, limits their ability to fight infections. Children, especially those under the age of five, have significantly higher developmental delays and are vulnerable to illnesses as their immune systems aren’t fully developed. Hence, they require greater medical attention and care,” the First Lady pointed out.
According to her, children in such settings are at a higher risk of mental and psychological problems affecting their physical health. This means they stand a higher chance of suffering from depression or similar conditions, which can affect their physical health.

“Changes like these can have adverse effects on their lives and it is for this reason they require greater medical attention and care. Children in institutional care fight many silent battles that we do not know of. In many ways, they struggle mentally, emotionally, and physically almost on a daily basis. The fact that we know this imposes on us a responsibility to act,” she added.
Last year, the Embassy supported three orphanages and is planning to support another two in 2023. Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Guyana, Guo Haiyan hinted at plans to support other projects under this umbrella.
The Chinese diplomat noted that the Chinese Medical Brigade has made significant contributions to supporting Guyana’s healthcare system.
“The Chinese Medical Team is working at the Georgetown Public Hospital and the Linden Hospital. They will finish their term next month and we will welcome the 19th team. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Chinese Medical Team’s service in Guyana. During the past thirty years, they have provided not only high-level medical services at hospitals but also travelled frequently to remote areas to provide free medical services,” the diplomat underscored.
The Adopt an Orphanage initiative was launched in 2021 to link underfunded orphanages in the country with the private sector, in ensuring that their needs are well met. Initially starting with eight orphanages adopted in 2021, this number grew to 11 in 2022.