RHEC pledges to continue collaboration until Region 10 rid of COVID-19

ꟷ as members review COVID-19 performance

After implementing a curfew with the aim of curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), the Regional and Health Emergency Committee (RHEC) members weighed in on their performance.

At a meeting recently, Regional Chairman, Renis Morian sought from members their views on whether the committee’s role was effective during the curfew and challenges they foresee in moving forward.
“Evaluating and reviewing the Committee’s efforts is very important with the view of documenting their work for future reference,” Morian stressed.
Regional Fire Commander, Courtney Springer, commenting on the issue said that there is a need for more sensitisation so that persons would not feel that committee is violating their freedom but rather seeking to help them.
While sharing her views, Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Pansy Armstrong admitted that the Health Department could not have done it all by themself.
“What we saw is the importance of an intersectoral approach. COVID has caused us to realise that with all these agencies [cooperating], it helped in making the work more effective,” the RHO said.
Also, Regional COVID Coordinator, Dr. Michael Marks credited the committee for the region’s ‘small numbers’ but noted they need to be very cautious as the situation can move from being controlled to uncontrolled.
Meanwhile, District Education Officer, Sonia Fraser-Pearce suggested that persons from various sectors and agencies should come together with the primary objective of working towards ensuring the safety of the region.
In addition, Manager of the Region 10 Guyana Water Incorporation (GWI) operations, Rawle Friday related that he remains impressed since representatives from various sectors have been showing a level of commitment.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Regional Vice Chairman, Elroy Adolph, who called for penalties against those who seek to hinder the collaborative efforts of the region to contain the deadly virus.
“There should be stiffer penalties for those wanting to flout the regulations,” Adolph said.
President of the Linden Chamber of Commerce, Victor Fernandes also expressed the view that significant gains have been made. He said that he is amazed by what they were able to do in Region 10.
The Regional Labour Officer, Eleze Benjamin-Hall feels that the unwavering commitment and dedication helped significantly.
“We were all prepared to work as a team, we addressed issues like a team as we recognised that regardless of what agency person represented, they were prepared to work together and remain together,” she said.
Deputy Regional Police Commander Wayne Dehearte declared that Region 10 stands out based on his assessment of what he has seen in other regions. He explained that the successes, in his view, were because of the many constructive criticisms and the willingness of various stakeholders working together to ensure that the systems being implemented were successful.
Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer, Orrin Gordon, who also heads the RHEC, commended all of his members for their diligence and commitment.
The curfew in Linden had started just over a week before the national 6PM to 6AM curfew, and from reports, the people of the Upper Demerara-Berbice region have been diligent, patient, and largely compliant.
Last month, Region 10’s COVID-19 cases had gone up to nine including one death – 49-year-old Sydney Trellis called “Jacket” of Wismar, Linden. He was the country’s seven COVID death. The region had also recovered the country’s youngest coronavirus patient, a one-year-old toddler.
While it is the view of many that restrictions will begin to be lifted after the 17th, the RHEC members said they are committed to continuing working together until there is a complete flattening and COVID-19 is no longer a major threat to the residents.