As part of its ongoing commitment to support countries in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Israel has donated $2 million worth of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The items were handed over at simple ceremony at the hospital on Thursday.
Some 100,000 surgical masks, 4,600 shoe covers, 4,600 surgical caps, 1,000 surgical gowns, 5,000 KN95 and 20 pulse oximeters masks were donated.
Accepting the donation on behalf of the Minister of Health was ministerial adviser, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.
Dr. Ramsammy, in expressing sincere thanks to Israel, said the donation serves as the growth and strengthening of cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
In addition, Dr. Ramsammy revealed that it has proved challenging for countries like Guyana to procure PPEs amidst the ongoing pandemic.
This, he explained, has been an “uphill task for countries like Guyana; we have had to compete against the giants or with the giants for our supplies.”
Dr. Ramsammy said Guyana was also put on waiting lists, despite having the resources to pay for supplies.
“We are extremely grateful today to receive the PPEs….it will help to sustain an effective fight against COVID-19,” Dr. Ramsammy stated.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ramsammy further commended Israel for facilitating a number of doctors, including health minister, Dr. Frank Anthony in acquiring their masters in public health and other medical qualifications.
Dr. Ramsammy further called on Israel to continue this important collaboration and even recommended having experts from the Middle East country travel to Guyana and conduct local training.
“As we receive these donations I want to take the opportunity to ask for this cooperation to be strengthened so that more of our young people could benefit from the research and technology that Israel is well known for,” Dr. Ramsammy said.
Joining the ceremony virtually was Israel Ambassador to Panama, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, Reda Mansour, who noted that there has been price gouging of PPEs making it difficult for small countries to access these important items.
Mansour stated that the pandemic gives countries in the region the opportunity to explore more cooperation especially in the medical field.
He also noted that Israel has been sharing its experiences from the pandemic with other countries around the world
“We have young medex who comes from all over the world to train in our hospitals, to do their specialisation in different fields. So I am hoping today with the health system in Guyana, this will be a first step to open many other doors of cooperation,” Mansour said.
The ceremony was also attended by Chairman of the Board of Georgetown Hospital, Dr. Madan Rambarran, Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr Fawcett Jeffrey, Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier (Ret’d) George Lewis, President of the Caribbean Israel Leadership Coalition, Dr. Andre Thomas along with its member Apostle Elsworth Williams.
