Over 2000 locals, migrants to benefit from Region 1 medical outreach

Residents and migrants within Region One (Barima-Waini) are to benefit from a comprehensive medical outreach next week, organised by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana with backing from several key agencies.
The CIOG has brought on collaborative partners for this undertaking, which includes the United States Embassy (HAP), Office of the First Lady, Guyana Medical Relief (GMR), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS).

The teams will be present in the communities of Port Kaituma and Mabaruma, Region One from August 2 to August 6, 2021. Among the list of services offered would be general medical checkups, HIV testing and counselling, COVID-19 vaccination, dental services, optometry, women’s health and physiatry.
United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch explained that this is a significant step in providing healthcare to remote areas within the country.
“Almost 2000 people I think are scheduled to be seen next week, which is really amazing and mostly to support those in need, especially in underserved areas of Guyana. So, the upcoming Medical Outreach in Region One, it does underscore the US embassy’s initiatives to support Guyana in the areas of improved governance, enhance security and prosperity for all,” the diplomat shared.
US-based NGO Surgical and Medical Support Group will provide eight medical personnel to Georgetown Public Hospital, and nine medical personnel to outreach activities in Region One. These medical professionals will include nurses, physicians specialized OB-GYN and anaesthesiologists with other medical personnel.
They’re all very excited to share their knowledge and their skills out in the hinterland…The outreach will provide critical medical services and training in several areas of concern, some of which were previously mentioned, including women’s health, basic trauma care and preventative medicine…It is really truly satisfying to see global, bilateral, national and local resources and experiences coming together for the benefit of those most in need,” Lynch further detailed.
According to Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, vaccination against COVID-19 is also an important factor for the region. The medical team was urged to use this opportunity in boosting the current vaccination figures.
“We would really like you to help us in one particular area and this is vaccination. Region One, we have had fairly good coverage but they still need to do a lot more. I think for first dose, we probably need about 9000 more people to cover…I think if the people who are coming to get other services, if you can encourage them to get vaccinated, it would be a very important message.”
In Region One, diseases predominantly range from malaria, leishmania, HIV, STIs among others. Persons also suffer from a range of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Vulnerable groups
Speaking on the issue of migrants, IOM’s Chief of Mission, Robert Natiello highlighted that these vulnerable groups are in need of such care as he lauded Government’s support in accepting refugees.
“IOM believe that there is not one organization or one entity that really manages migration. We really have to work together to address migration issues, because migration is another cross-cutting issue. It cuts across a number of sectoral demographic – economic, political, social…I think it’s really important to recognize the efforts that Guyana has made to host migrants and to the needs of migrants. The government of Guyana has really provided a welcoming space,” Natiello verbalised. (G12)