Chile calls on Guyana to strengthen ties with South America

By Ashraf Dabie

The Ambassador of Chile to Guyana, His Excellency Claudio Rojas Rachel, is calling on the Government of Guyana to establish further relationships with its South American neighbours, rather than relying primarily on its links in the north. This is as Guyana continues its historical and political ties to the Caribbean.
During a ceremony that involved the graduation of three Guyanese who had cashed in on a postgraduate exchange programme hosted by Chile, Ambassador Rachel called on Guyana to strengthen ties with South American nations, and highlighted that while Guyana is prone to align itself with Caribbean states, especially with the presence of Caricom, there is much this country could benefit from with well-established links among the Southern countries.

The Chilean ambassador posited that Guyana being the only English-speaking country on the continent of South America should be considered an advantage, rather than a cultural barrier.
“It can be something positive to enhance our relationship. It can be something positive also to build on the basis of diversity,” Ambassador Rachel relayed.
The ambassador indicated that Guyana can provide the gateway between the Americas and the Caribbean region. He thus explained: “You can be our springboard in helping us get more related with the Caribbean region.”
Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr. Karen Boyle, of the Public Health Ministry, welcomed the call for further collaboration between Guyana and Chile, and indicated that the Guyana Government would be amenable to developing further ties with South America nations.
“Historically, Guyana has always looked northwards, and you understand why. But I think it has become more and more apparent that we have so much we can learn and benefit from our neighbours right here in the South,” the Deputy Chief Health Officer posited.
It has been less than a year since Guyana entered into a visa-free travel agreement with Chile, while it has entered into a similar arrangement with Colombia just weeks ago. Guyana continues to embark on similar efforts towards regional integration in the South.

Guyanese postgrad programme
Following the completion of an exchange programme in Chile, three Guyanese on Thursday last graduated from the Biopsycho-social Rehabilitation Approach course offered through the Agency of International Co-operation, ACCID.
Receiving their postgraduate certificates at the ceremony hosted at the Chilean Embassy were Dexter George, Aruni Shamnarine and Ariane Mangar, who will now go on to adapt the integrated approach during their attachment at rehabilitation centres across Guyana.
Guyana Times caught up with gradate Dexter George, and he explained the basis of the Biophysco-social course and how their participation would benefit Guyanese.
The physiotherapist noted, “The programme really is (about how) to take care of persons with disabilities; and what we did is look at persons in a whole, as a full unit; not only to just give them therapy, but where we can get them involved in the community, and the community involved with them.”
The programme offered not only focuses on the rehabilitation of persons living with disabilities, or those who have suffered injuries; but also zooms in on social inclusion, which is aimed at reintegrating these victims back into society.
While representing the Public Health Ministry at the graduation ceremony, Dr Karen Boyle congratulated the trio on attaining this significant accomplishment, and expressed delight in the emergence of three qualified professionals who will now be able to render holistic rehabilitation services in Guyana.
“This training now allows them to not only look after the bio-physical aspects of rehabilitation, (but is) a more integrated approach to managing people, recognizing that they are not just physical bodies,” Dr. Boyle highlighted. She added: “Rehabilitation in its fullest meaning means that the persons have to be able to function optimally; and that means (they have to function) physically and socially and (become) productive members of society.”
Now that the three professionals have returned home, they are set to apply the knowledge and skills attained during the programme as the go on to impact the lives of hundreds of Guyanese. In that regard, gradating student Aruni Shamnarine hinted to this publication that their first project is likely to be conducted at the Palms Geriatric Home in Georgetown.
This is the first time Guyanese have benefited from a Bipsycho-social Rehabilitation programme offered in Chile, and it therefore creates the pathway for additional exchanges in the future. This initiative is an effort to strengthen the relationship shared between the two South American countries as Guyana continues to align with regional and international partners.