Region 1 outbreak – Miners evacuated in Chinese air ambulance

The sick undiagnosed Chinese miners attached to Guyana Manganese Inc (GMI) left Guyana on Monday for China. The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) ambulance was escorted by Police to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) where the ill miners accompanied by medical practitioners will board the Chinese air ambulance which arrived in Guyana on Saturday.
A well-placed source at the GPHC had told this newspaper that doctors are of the view that the miners are not infected with Leptospirosis since their symptoms are not consistent with this disease but they still believe that the illness is similar to H1N1. The source noted that as a result, a decision was taken to take the men back home to China.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud on Monday when contacted told Guyana Times said that he along with two representatives from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) are in Matthews Ridge to host meetings and a full update will be made available by the Public Health Ministry subsequent to those meetings.
Regional health officials on Saturday held a public meeting with residents of Matthews Ridge, North West District (NWD), to update them on the current health crisis facing the GMI workers, who fell ill while working in a tunnel in the area.
Present at the meeting were the region’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen Boyle, Regional Health Officer Dr Cerdel Mc Watt and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
It was reported that the now evacuated patients were being treated and were responding to antibiotic and anti-fungal medicines and results from samples that were sent overseas for further evaluation are scheduled to be returned soon.
Meanwhile, officials have maintained that only Chinese workers that worked in the specific tunnel are affected by the illness and no other residents of that or neighbouring villages have been infected. Further, GMI mining operations will remain closed until certain requirements are met and the company is given the green light by the EPA to resume operations.
Residents of Matthews Ridge on Friday had expressed concerns over the health risks involved and are furious that health officials are not disclosing information as to the seriousness of the situation.
Several residents who reached out to this newspaper said that it is time that the health authorities speak to persons living in the area since they are very worried about the situation.
Two Chinese miners died as a result of Leptospirosis, a Ministry statement had said.
Meanwhile, all precautionary measures are still in place at the Matthews Ridge tunnel site and its immediate surroundings, adding that essential medical supplies are in stock to treat employees of the mining firm and residents of the area.