Ptolemy Reid Rehab Centre receives ATVs, computers to improve service to hinterland
Director of the Disability and Rehabilitation Services Department at the Ministry of Health, Dr Ariane Mangar
In a move that will greatly improve the services delivered to persons living with disabilities in the hinterland locations of the country, the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre has received a significant donation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and computer from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The donation includes two ATVs, 10 laptops, and a quantity of wheelchairs. The ATVs will facilitate school visits in Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), particularly aiding children with impairments in accessing essential services.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Director of the Disability and Rehabilitation Services Department at the Health Ministry, Dr Ariane Mangar, explained how this donation will help persons with disabilities in far-flung communities.
Elder Kory Sellers and his wife handing over the items that were donated
“This donation goes beyond just providing the wheelchairs; this is very big and it really will help us to improve what we are offering the patients in those regions. It will bring accessibility to them as opposed to them coming to us,” Mangar stated.
She stated that the Health Ministry has set up an electronic program to keep track of wheelchairs.
“The laptops and computers will come in handy because we have set up an electronic medical record program which will track all the wheelchair users in Guyana. We will be able to see every single person, not just with the wheelchairs you give us, but the other wheelchairs which the government buys, so we will have a bigger picture of the wheelchairs, canes, crutches, and so forth within the regions.”
Meanwhile, Ptolemy Reid’s Administrator, Ashford Ambedkar, thanked the church for its generous donation, noting that it has been a helpful partner throughout the years. “Over the past three years, we have been receiving approximately $36 million for some of the projects, which includes the reach of wheelchair distribution outside of Georgetown.”
One of the ATVs donated to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre
He also expressed that most patients are unable to purchase prosthetic legs and the church has assisted with a substantial amount of funding over the years. “When a patient cannot afford a prosthetic, the church has provided some funding to assist those people. I want to let you know that about 26 persons received those benefits, and of those 26 persons, the amount came up to about $745,000.”
The Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre provides rehabilitation services, training programmes, and dormitory residence for adults and children with disabilities and developmental impairments. (G2)
