Guyana’s disaster response received a significant boost on Thursday with the donation of a US$1.1 million mobile field hospital, compliments of the United States government, through its Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Humanitarian Assistance Program.
Apart from being a mobile hospital, the facility can also function as a command post; it has living quarters for staff, operating theaters, emergency rooms, and a decontamination facility.
With the capacity to treat around 40 patients, it also includes water purification units, ensuring access to clean and safe water during emergencies.
This multi-purpose facility is designed to provide crucial medical services and emergency treatment across the country in the event of a disaster or disease outbreak. The facility will be housed at Timehri at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) site and will be available for deployment countrywide.
During remarks, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot said it is important to plan, prepare and conduct simulation exercises to effectively use the facility to successfully respond to disasters.
“The mobile field hospital equips the Guyana’s Civil Defence Commission with the tools and resources it needs to rapidly and effectively build disaster resilience and crisis response capabilities anywhere in the country,” Ambassador Theriot said.
During the past couple of days, the CDC in collaboration with local agencies and educational institutions, conducted field exercises using the facility to hone their skills.
A live blood drive and a simulated triage operation in response to a mass casualty was also scheduled for Thursday.
“As Guyana works to make major improvements to its emergency disaster responsiveness in the near-term, the United States Government is committed to supporting the people of Guyana and to strengthening our incredible partnership,” Ambassador Theriot added.
In expressing thanks to the U.S. government, Guyana’s Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips said the facility will further bridge the gap between humanitarian assistance and disaster management.
“This facility will help us a lot. I don’t see it being placed in a store and locked away until the next disaster, I envisage the CDC working with the Ministry of Health, utilizing this facility to bring humanitarian assistance especially to those far flung areas of Guyana,” the Prime Minister said.
The facility can be deployed in areas that don’t have hospitals for a period of time and will not only treat patients but train medical personnel on crisis and disaster response.
