Venezuelan migrants in Reg 1: No cases of children suffering from starvation, 4 hospitalised with other illnesses – Dr Persaud

…says Govt continues to monitor situation

Contrary to reports that children of Venezuelan nationality are suffering from starvation at Anabisi, Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud related that no case of such was found.

A report from the Office of the Prime Minister on Saturday stated that dozens of Amerindians, including children, may have entered Guyana from a neighbouring village in Venezuela in poor health and without food. The group, suspected to be Warraus, is living on the bank of a river.
Immediately, a response team led by Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony was dispatched to the area to assess the situation. The team also included Dr Persaud, Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, and several doctors from the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Dr Anthony said the children were given much-needed medical care. “There are about 50 children in the community. We examined those who need medical attention and gave treatment. Four children and their mother were taken to Port Kaituma for further treatment,” he said during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).
The migrants also received food and sanitary hampers. However, Minister Persaud in a Facebook post, said the team arrived at the Warrau settlement and found poor living conditions but no children dying of starvation as was portrayed by the media and on social media was unearthed.

According to her, Paediatrician Dr Neil Samwaroo, who is fluent in Spanish, was able to communicate with the families with the help of a woman who speaks both Spanish and Warrau.
Dr Persaud disclosed that upon examining the children, they found cases of impetigo (skin rashes/infections), diarrhoeal diseases, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and cough and cold for which medications were provided.
She added, “We referred four children with skin conditions along with a neonate with fever to Port Kaituma Hospital for further attention. But no child was critical, starving, or an emergency case.”
“Our team also took in additional food hampers to complement those given earlier, and [Sunday] more will be added along with multivitamins and safe drinking water implements.” She also said that the team will create a register of the families and their needs.
While all of the families do fishing, Dr Persaud disclosed that the Government will look at avenues to alleviate their poor conditions. To this end, she noted that the situation there will be closely monitored.
“As we are all deeply concerned about their conditions. Most of these families have arrived from Venezuela to escape harsh conditions.”
Meanwhile, the Government noted that it remains mindful of its humanitarian obligations to migrants and has been actively engaged in sustained efforts to deliver food and medical relief across the regions where migration into Guyana is taking place.
The Government assured its commitment to humane management of the migrant situation stemming from the economic and social instability in neighbouring Venezuela, with the active support of local stakeholders, as well as international partners.
The Office of the Prime Minister stated that an aircraft will remain in the area to assist with medical evacuations which may become necessary.
It was reported in another section of the media that the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Blossom Inc had observed the migrants and alerted Government officials to intervene.