Wakapao residents bemoan lack of health services

…say more medical outreaches needed

Residents living in the Amerindian community of Wakapao in the Lower Pomeroon River in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are calling for medical outreaches to be conducted in their areas, since they are witnessing an upsurge in mosquito-borne diseases.

The concerned residents explained that many persons in the area were suffering from typhoid and could not afford medical services. At the recent statutory meeting for the Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Councillors discussed the issue. People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor Lloyd Perriera, who is living in the area, said that many residents were affected and could not afford to conduct the test privately. He explained that a test cost $1500 and pointed to the poor economic state of the community. He too called for more outreaches to the community

In response, Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt said that the 40 recorded cases of typhoid were indeed alarming, given that the community has 2000 residents. The Regional Chairman also emphasised on the need for more outreaches.

This newspaper was informed that several outreaches were planned for the Pomeroon areas; however, owing to lack of resources, some were never conducted. Immediately after the meeting, another PPP Councillor, Ranjeev Singh, a doctor, assured that an outreach would be organised in the area. The health centre in the area is also lacking essential drugs.