Lion’s Club donates computers to boost Guyana’s COVID-19 fight

As Guyana continues to battle with the novel coronavirus, the Lions Club International Foundation in Guyana on Wednesday gifted the Public Health Ministry six computers and headphones to assist in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far infected 206 nationals and killed 12.

From left: Blossom Manbodh (Chairperson – Lions Club Zone A); Dr Sarah Gordon (Project Coordinator – Lions Club International District 60A); Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle (DCMO), former Minister Volda Lawrence; Denise Bentinck (Governor Elect – Lions Club International District 60A); Glendon Fogenay (Deputy Permanent Secretary-Finance – MoPH), and Sasha Walrond (Head of the Epidemiology & Surveillance Department – MoPH)

Denise Bentinck, Lions Club District Governor-elect, handed over the donation to public health officials which included former Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Finance) Glendon Fogenay, and Epidemiologist Sasha Walrond.
Lawrence, in brief remarks, extended appreciation to the Lions Club for the timely gift, and noted that the donation will boost the MoPH’s Surveillance Department, whose role is critical in helping to protect the nation against diseases.
Bentinck said the MoPH is among numerous government bodies and agencies globally assisted in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Where there is a need, there is the Lions Club, and we are positive that this donation will make a difference in the Surveillance Department of the Ministry,” Bentinck alluded.
The District Governor-Elect said the Lions Club International has made almost 300 donations internationally since the COVID-19 outbreak.
Walrond, who heads the Epidemiology & Surveillance Department, in brief statements said the computers and headphones are essential in the data collection process. Both she and Fogenay gave an undertaking to guarantee proper maintenance of the gifts.
“The equipment will serve as a great tool to facilitate better analyses and responses to pandemics such as the current coronavirus outbreak and other health emergencies in the country’s 10 Administrative Regions”, Walrond said.
On March 11 of this year, Guyana recorded its first case of COVID-19. As at today, the number of cases has climbed to 215, with 12 deaths.