President Ali praises efforts of Region 3 COVID-19 Response Team

President Dr Irfaan Ali has expressed his appreciation and support to the Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) COVID-19 Response Team. The Head of State acknowledged the efforts of the team on Thursday during the launch of the second in a series of SMART upgrades to healthcare facilities – the retrofitting of the Leonora Cottage Hospital.

Region Three is the third most populous region in Guyana. Its COVID-19 response team is being led by healthcare professionals, Private Sector actors, the regional administration office, and members of civil society. The President pointed out that the team has been doing an amazing job in supporting the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They are young shoulders on which we have placed tremendous responsibility. But governance is moving in a direction where you will have to be accountable. Where professionals must be accountable. As far as the financial architecture of the country allows us, we will support the healthcare system and we will support the professionals,” the Head of State added.
According to Ali, with the country facing a global pandemic, action at every level is required. He, however, noted that the greatest action is needed at the community and individual levels to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 safety measures.
He said, “Everyone is asking how fast can the economy be reopened but if we all conduct ourselves in conformity with the protocols and guidelines, the economy can be reopened much faster. Whether we like it or not, life has changed globally, we will have to learn to live with this pandemic. We will have to learn to unlearn old ways of doing things.”
“Public health is a very serious issue, and public health is not only about the healthcare professional communicating to the population what is needed. It requires the population to understand what is being communicated,” President Ali noted.
The Health Ministry has been pleading with persons to observe the COVID-19 Emergency Measures which are in effect until tomorrow, November 30, 2020. The wearing of face masks, maintaining six feet physical distance from others, and sanitising of hands are among them.
Anyone displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information is being asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.