2,000 Region One residents to benefit from medical outreach

Some 2,000 residents, including migrants, residing in Region One (Barima- Waini) will benefit from a range of medical services during a medical outreach from August 2 to 6.

The team of US and local medical personnel and volunteers will travel to the communities of Port Kaituma and Mabaruma for the outreach.

This medical outreach is being organised by the Office of the First Lady and the United States Embassy in collaboration with the Guyana Medical Relief, the International Organization for Migration and the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS).

On Wednesday, the outreach was launched at the Bookland Gardens at Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

Chief Operations Officer of the Guyana Medical Relief Sharir Chan said 1,000 residents will be targeted in each community.

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony noted that there are various infectious diseases prevalent in the Region. The ability of the region’s health system to respond to these diseases, he explained, has been strained by the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

As such, he welcomed the outreach and stated that it will help to provide much needed services to the people of the region.

Providing brief remarks, Chief of Mission of the local office of the International Office for Migration (IOM) Robert Natiello emphasised that providing these health services specifically to the migrant population is crucial.

“Migrants and mobile populations face serious obstacles when they are trying to access health services,” he said, explaining that their migration status and language barriers hinder their access to and acceptance of health services.

He also highlighted that with expanding migrant populations, there is an increased demand for healthcare services and as such, an additional pressure is placed on the existing health system.

Still, he commended the Government of Guyana and local leaders such as Toshaos for hosting migrants, especially those from Venezuela, and are working to make the health services accessible to them.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah- Ann Lynch related that nine medical personnel from the US-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) – the Surgical and Medical support group – will be part of the outreach. Another eight personnel will be aiding work at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).