Residents of Region ten have raised several concerns in relation to the deplorable state of Health Centres in riverain areas, communication services, the prevalence of incest and the shortage of medical supplies.
During a recent visit to the Region, Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence and Minister in the Ministry Keith Scott held several meetings in Kimbia, Ebini Wiruni, Calcuni, Hururu, Kwakwani, Wismar and Ituni.
Residents say while the town of Linden has a hospital, there is a need for doctors in the riverain communities. They also lamented the slow pace of obtaining drugs and medical supplies. According to the views expressed at one public meeting, some of the health centres are in a deplorable state as well.
Residents called for these to be urgently remedied, noting that the problems in these far flung communities are compounded by the lack of proper communication services since there are no telephone lines in most of the areas.
Access to potable water is also problematic since there are inadequate wells in the riverain communities.
According to the residents, these problems, coupled with the issue of unemployment, are forcing people to leave the area in search of better economic and social prospects.
At Calcuni residents implored the Ministers to liase with the Ministry of Education for the placement of a headteacher at the school. There is also no high school at Hururu and Minister Lawrence said this will be placed high on the agenda of issues to be addressed. Responding to the concerns about incest, the Minister said the Childcare and Protection Agency will be investigating.
Residents at Ituni expressed their needs, which include assistance to boost the agriculture drive, improved health facilities and an ambulance.
The ministry underscored their support of sporting activists and contributed to the development of sports in the riverain communities through the distribution of sporting gears.
Both Ministers committed to meeting thebasic needs of residents, especilly since its governmnet’s mandate to deliver the good life for all guyanese.
Minister Lawrence assured residents that “together we will overcome the challenges and we will see prosperity”.
The Ministers also stoped at Kwakwani, where they hosted a public meeting at the Kwakwani Workers Club and at the Harmony Secondary School in Wismar, where similar issues were raised.
