Improved human resources in the health sector –2004
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2005
There was a major improvement in the health sector in Guyana last year because of Government’s continuing efforts to uplift the lives of all Guyanese. Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy emphasized this today at a press conference, held at the Ministry.
According to Minister Ramsammy there has been an increase in the number of nurses, doctors and other health professionals in the health sector in Guyana for the last year.
There were 190 doctors employed in the public sector and 125 in the private sector for year.
There are 20 Cuban doctors and 13 Chinese doctors who are also working in the health sector.
Minister Ramsammy noted that the Guyana Government has been working in partnership with other overseas health organizations for a number of years.
In 2004, 37 health specialists were recruited by the Ministry to serve in the health sector. There were also 15 new Government Medical Officers (GMO’s) who were employed during the year.
There were 26 Medexes trained to work in various communities in regions across the country. Eleven orthopaedic technicians were also trained in 2004.
Arrangements have been completed for medical post-graduate studies at the University of Guyana.
“ Guyana is not only looking at getting juniors in the health sector but also specialists.” Minister Ramsammy said.
He added, “we have a much better health sector today than we ever had.” The Minister said this is because Government is very responsive to the society’s health needs.
Before 1992, only $703M was allocated to the health sector. The 2004 budget allotted $6.7 B.
It was noted that neurology is being offered at the Georgetown Public Hospital. This has brought comfort to those Guyanese who had to go overseas to get surgery done.
Addressing some concerns raised by the public, about the deaths at the New Amsterdam Hospital, Minister Ramsammy said, the Regional Health Management Team will be looking into those complaints.
The team will be investigating all deaths of children at hospitals in the country. Minister Ramsammy said all deaths at hospitals would be automatically investigated.
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Five hundred nurses to be trained in 2005
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2005
Government plans to train 500 additional nurses for the health sector this year. They will be among the hundreds of other health personnel who will be trained to boost the health sector. This was disclosed today at the Ministry of Health press conference by Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy who added that the Ministry is working in collaboration with overseas agencies to train persons for the health sector.
There are plans this year to train an additional 50 Medexes in addition to the 26 who were trained in 2004.
“Guyana has a good track record of training persons in the health sector.” Minister Ramsammy noted. During 2004, over 100 neurological operations were done in the country.
The Minister said, there are laws addressing the admission requirements into the nursing profession, and these laws will be implemented in the 2005 training.
There is a specialist-nursing programme, which will commence this year and will go for 34 months.
A special Dentex training programme will also begin this year. Minister Ramsammy noted that all the training programmes, which started last year, will be expanded this year.
During 2004, seven experienced nurses were recruited to the Sophia Health Centre.
Persons undergo training to become staff nurses and nursing assistants at three nursing schools in Georgetown, Linden and New Amsterdam.
At the Georgetown Public Hospital nurse aides and patient-care assistants are trained.
In an effort to reduce the problem of insufficient nurses, private health agencies are working closely with the Georgetown Hospital.
The Health Ministry is also addressing the rules pertaining to nursing; some of these are very restrictive in terms of who can be trained.
Meanwhile, the old New Amsterdam Hospital will be refurbished and converted into a training school and nurses' dormitory.
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Sugar lobbying Mission moves to Europe
Georgetown, GINA, January
Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Clement Rohee will be part of a team from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States that will be lobbying countries in the European Union to re-consider the proposed sugar reform.
Minister Rohee will join his colleagues from Jamaica, Belize, Zambia, Mauritius, Swaziland and Fiji to be part of the third phase of the lobbying mission.
The aim of the mission is to get the ACP message across, to countries with a pre-disposition to listen, that the sugar reform proposal has the potential to destroy the economies of ACP sugar producing States. The team will visit Finland, Hungary, Italy, France and Spain.
Last year, the European Union Commission announced a proposal to reform the Sugar regime. If implemented, it would have a devastating impact on the economies of ACP sugar producing States.
According to Minster Rohee, the lobbying missions have made considerable progress. “The internal differences within the EU are developing even more,” he said adding that it is important to have face-to-face discussions with these countries, so that they understand the impact the reform would have on ACP States.
Following his meetings in Europe, Minister Rohee is expected to be in Brussels for the ACP meeting with the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers.
Minister Rohee will also attend the meeting of ACP Ministers and EU Commissioners of Trade, Agriculture and Development Cooperation.
According to the Minister, one of the objectives will be to convince Commissioners that ACP sugar producers will need long-term financing to re-tool their industries.
They will also have to convince the Commissioners of the need for a system that will allow easier access to funds.
Minister Rohee said it is important for stakeholders in the local sugar industry to note these efforts. He pointed out that at the local level, the Government is moving ahead with the modernization plans for the industry and at the international level, efforts continue to ensure that the world is made aware of the impacts the reform could have on the local and ACP sugar industries.
“I think if you lump these two, it will show a very pro-active part on the Government,” he said.
The Minster re-affirmed Government’s position that it will fight to keep the sugar industry alive.
If the reform of the Sugar Protocol goes through as proposed, revenues to the Region would be cut by US$180 million in three years and thereafter by $90 million annually.
About half of a million people in the Region depend on sugar. It brings in about $250 million annually in foreign exchange, and that is from Europe alone.
In Guyana, the loss would be about US$20 million in revenue between 2005 and 2006, going up to $35-$37 million in 2007.
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Region Three completed 99% works under Capital budget
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2005
The Regional Democratic Council of Region Three ( Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara) has achieved 99% of its target under its Capital budget of $134 M for 2004. This is according to a release from the region.
The incomplete works on the Zeelugt Nursery School resulted in the 1% shortfall, the release added.
Under its Capital Works programme, the administration constructed four heavy-duty bridges costing $9.8 M. It also constructed and rehabilitated four schools at a cost of $23M.
Works on the extension of the West Demerara Regional Hospital and the Parika Health Centre amounted to $19M while $29.3 M was spent on drainage and irrigation.
The sum of $10 M was spent on land development, $5M used to purchase an ambulance, while the region purchased dental and surgical equipment costing $6M.
Under the region’s road programme, the sum of $25M was used for the construction of seven roads.
The region has noted that works on community roads are ongoing and the programme costs approximately $100M. Forty-six roads will be rehabilitated in two phases and works on both phases are expected to be completed by February 25, 2005.
The expenditure for the year amounted to $1.381 B and this covers the health, education, public works, agriculture and administration and finance sectors.
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Budget 2005 consultations continues in Region 7
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2005
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Local Government Harripersaud Nokta and Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues visited Phillipai, Kamarang and Bartica, Region 7 where residents were able to express the needs of their communities.
A meeting was held at the Phillipai Community Centre where residents were given the opportunity to address the needs of the village which has a population of 1500.
Prime Minister Hinds said the purpose of these outreaches is to interact with the people, hearing their views and ideas to be considered in the national Budget.
The Minister noted that in the new year Government will continue its programme of infrastructural development but will also focus on the improved delivery of social services such as health and education and infrastructural development. The team donated an outboard engine to residents of Phillipai which will help to alleviate their transportation problems.
Prime Minister Hinds and his team also visited Kamarang. He donated a bush cutter to the Kamarang Primary school and met residents and Toshaos from several neighboring villages.
Residents there were able to relate their communities’ needs and they were given a favourable response.
Kamarang has a population of 684. Residents, while lamenting that they are still many needs in the community, said Government has been contributing tremendously towards their development.
While in Bartica Prime Minister Hinds and the team met residents at the
St. Anthony’s Primary School. At the various meetings, residents raised concerns about the land allocation, the construction of roads, assistance in the agriculture sector, the high incidence of Malaria and the lack of access to drugs, teachers, construction of schools, and the provision of laboratory materials.
Residents also spoke about the lack of doctors, the need for hospitals, transportation, a better airstrip, security and the development of culture and sport in the Regions. The supply of water, electricity, generator, dental equipment, delivery beds, brush cutters, chain saws, birth certificates, and banking system were also sore issues.
Minister Nokta said the Government has been working to make things better for the Guyanese people but it can only invest according to the amount of money that is available.
Minister Rodrigues told residents, that they will work towards solving these problems with the cooperation of the Region. She said that even though the regional administration provides feedback on the needs of the region, the PPP/C administration is interested in the expectations of people at the grass roots level.
This week Governmental outreaches were held in Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and Santa Rosa, Region 1, also in Phillipai, Kamarang and Bartica, Region 7. Outreaches will continue on January 15 in Region 8, with meetings at Paramakatoi, Kato and Mahdia.
On January 19, the team will meet residents in Region 9 at Aishalton and Lethem to be followed by meetings at Karasabai and Annai on January 20.
The National Budget is expected to be presented on January 24 to be followed by a period of consultations and debates in Parliament.
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Police to probe 1998-2002 Wildlife Division Accounts $49M `Discrepancies’
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2005
His Excellency, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana has directed the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon to immediately, request the Guyana Police Force to investigate “discrepancies” in the Wildlife Division receipts and payments for the period July 1998 to June 2002 as contained in the Report of the Auditor General’s Report for fiscal year ended 31 December, 2003.
The Auditor General’s Department Report, which was recently handed over to the Speaker of the National Assembly for presentation to the House, stated inter alia that “the cash book that the Finance Officer introduced, however, commenced with a balance of $144.074M, giving a difference of $49.338M. When asked how she arrived at this balance, the Finance Officer stated that the figure was given to her by a former employee of the EPA.”
The Wildlife Division was under the direct control of the Environmental Protection Agency until a fraud was detected in 2002 by the Office of President and the Guyana Police Force carried out an investigation and instituted charges against certain officials.
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GPHC will not accept forged death registration
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2005
Through the vigilance of the staff at the Medical Records Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), it has been discovered that persons have been submitting death registration forms with forged signatures of medical practitioners.
Other information on the forms has also been found to be inaccurate. The administration of the GPHC has informed the police who are currently carrying out investigations into the matter.
The GPHC is reminding persons that only an authorized medical practitioner must insert the cause of death or post-mortem findings on the death registration form.
The institution is imploring persons to ensure that the information on the registration form is accurate.
The GPHC is adamant in its position that it will only accept authentic death registration forms that are in triplicate, with accurate verifiable information and the signature of an authorized medical practitioner.
The GPHC is also reminding persons that the registration of death should be done prior to burial and should be done at the Medical Records Department of the Georgetown Hospital.
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More focus on malaria programme in 2005
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2005
Government this year will place more focus on malaria programmes in hinterland areas.
According to Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy all malaria programmes will be integrated into the Regional Health programme.
He said, presently there is a team from the Ministry in Region 9 which is looking into problems residents are facing there.
They would also be integrating the malaria programme with the other programmes and treatments provided to residents of the region.
He said treatment and diagnosis would be done at the local level.
Malaria drugs can be deceptive, because after a few days the patient begins to feel much better, but treatment has to run its course.
Therefore, in an effort to have an effective malaria plan, the Ministry of Health will embark shortly on continuous training for community health workers and will send in periodically, vector control workers to assist them. This is part of the National Malaria Policy. A new drug – Coartem, was recently introduced in Georgetown and in Region One.
Through the WHO, Guyana is among the first countries to benefit from a special programme offering this new and effective drug for just US $2.40 per treatment, instead of US $55, which is the actual cost.
Coartem has a 95 percent success record, and it destroys the malaria parasite in 48 hours.
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Construction of Sophia Police station to begin this year – Consultant
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2005
Sophia is one step closer to housing its independent police station. Phase One of the Sophia Police Station, D Field Sophia has been completed, said consultant attached to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Noel James. This includes the foundation and part of the fence.
“Hopefully, if we receive all the funds this year, the police station will be completed,” said James.
A preliminary feasibility study for housing a police station at one of two possible locations in Sophia was done. It was proposed that the station either be housed at location A or D Field Sophia.
The logistics of access by residents of the community to the station and accessibility of ranks to other areas were also examined.
Concerns have been raised over the many crimes that have been occurring in the area, and in an effort to curb these crimes police ranks have intensified their mobile patrols.
The building is expected to cost more than $40M. Over the last two years, residents of Sophia have repeated calls for the erection of a police outpost there, in the wake of a number of reported incidents of criminal activity in the community. But instead they will get a Police station.
During the 2002 and early 2003 crime wave that gripped the country, several wanted men were seen in the area and were also believed to be hiding there.
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Coldingen CPG upset with Stabroek newspaper photograph
- Containers were not police outpost, just a base for policing group activities
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2005
Members of Coldigen Community Policing Group are perplexed over the Stabroek News photograph published in its January 13 issue – giving the impression that the container to be used as a base is shunned by villagers.
One member of the group told GINA that he is upset with the photograph and is tempted to sue the newspaper for giving the wrong impression.
He said that the container, a promise fulfilled by Government was requested by the Policing group and residents. The member said that the container serves the need of the policing group. The container is equipped with a desk and benches and the group meets there on a regular basis to hold meetings.
Most of the members work during the day, so it is convenient to meet in the evenings. The photograph was taken during the day. The container, given by Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs acts as a base for the community policing group.
Other CPGs along the East Coast of Demerara also benefited from these containers. The community group member pointed out that it was never intended to be a Police outpost as wrongfully claimed in the Stabroek News caption.
These groups are the eyes and ears of the Police and have been successful in making arrests.
Several residents were also upset by the photographs and caption which they claim suggest to criminal elements that the policing group was not vigilant in the named community.
Government was also praised for the installation of the streetlights at critical strategic locations in Coldingen to ensure maximum visibility and residents feel more at ease. The support of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Incorporated and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) was also acknowledged.
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Increased export and economic growth recorded in first half of 2004
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2005
Forestry, agriculture, and gold output increased in the first half of 2004 compared with the corresponding period in 2003. This has translated into increased revenue collection and a 0.8 percent growth of the economy. This is according to the Bank of Guyana half year report.
Inflation for the period was 3.6 percent, a reduction from 3.7 percent recorded in 2003. This figure raises hope of Guyana falling within the 4.5 inflation rate projected for 2004.
The overall performance of the balance of payment improved as the overall deficit reduced to US$10.6M from US$19.6M a year ago. This was due mainly to significant increases in revenue from the major export categories, especially for gold and rice, the report noted.
As a result of increased export earnings the trade deficit decreased to US$22.7M from US$54.5M at the end of June 2003. Total export increased by 18.1 percent over the corresponding period in 2003.
Export volumes of rice increased by a remarkable 67.6 percent over the corresponding period in 2003 to reach 134,757 tonnes. The Ministry of Agriculture projects that rice exports for 2004 will surpass those of 2003 by approximately 35,000 tonnes. Export earnings of sugar and bauxite also increased by 3.3 and 4.2 percent respectively.
Forestry output amounted to 337,516 cubic tonnes, 25 percent higher than last year. Gold declaration was 11.9 percent higher than the corresponding period in 2004. The manufacturing and services sectors recorded marginal growth in output while rice and sugar overall production declined.
Earnings of gold increased to US$75.2M, 31.2 percent over the corresponding period in 2003. Gold production increased by more than 15,000 onces.
The result of this improved performance of the economy resulted in a 19.1 percent increase in current revenue to G$26.1B and the Guyana Revenue Authority receipts increased by 17.9 percent to G$13.21B. This performance was mainly due to increased revenue collection from companies.
Meanwhile the stock of external debt decreased by 18.1 percent to US$1B due mainly to debt forgiveness received under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC). As a result, debt service payment decreased by 28.1 percent, the report noted.
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Arrangements in place for Grade Five Sacred Heart students- Ministry of Education
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2005
Government has moved through the Ministry of Education, to provide arrangements for the Grade Five students of the Sacred Heart Primary School to begin classes on Monday, January 17, 2005 at the St. Mary’s Annex on Brickdam.
According to the Ministry, repairs have been completed on the National Sports Commission building, another temporary location identified to accommodate the students. The Guyana Public Service Union building, which is being rented by the Ministry at a cost of $150,000 per month, is also prepared to accommodate more students. However, both buildings still need about 200 pieces more of furniture, and small contracts have been given out for these to be built.
Besides furniture already provided by the Ministry, some were contributed by the Parent Teachers’ Association of the Sacred Heart School through donations from A.H and L Kissoon’s furniture store and the Bank of Novia Scotia.
The Ministry is hopeful that students of Grades 1 to 4 can commence classes at least by Wednesday.
The Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church and Primary School were destroyed by
fire on Christmas Day last and more than 1,500 students were displaced as a result.
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Local companies for Caribbean-China Trade Forum
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2005
China’s ambassador to Guyana Shen Qing is urging local companies to participate in the China-Caribbean Trade Forum to be held in Kingston, Jamaica from February 2-3, 2005.
This is the first such Forum and it is expected to provide a wide range of business opportunities for participating companies
Speaking with the Government Information Agency, the Ambassador noted that trade between China and the Region has improved over the years. He said trade between Guyana and China has grown significantly.
According to Ambassador Qing, the Forum will provide opportunities for local companies to see first-hand what China is producing.
It will also provide a platform for local companies to establish business linkages with China.
The theme for the Forum is, “Promoting Cooperation for Development” and it is jointly sponsored by China and Jamaica.
The Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation is the collaborating Ministry in Guyana working with the Chinese Embassy to assist local companies to participate in the trade Forum.
During the Forum, Chinese and Caribbean government officials and business representatives will conduct specific consultations on how to strengthen bilateral cooperation in investment in trade, agriculture, fishery, tourism, civil aviation, banking, human resources and a range of other business ventures.
Organizers of the forum have arranged special sessions on economic and trade exchanges and human capacity building, development of tourism and cooperation in civil transportation, cooperation in agriculture, fishery, science and technology and on financial cooperation. These sessions will be held after the formal opening of the Forum on February 2.
These sessions are aimed at promoting all-dimensional and multi-faceted communication and cooperation.
A one-day China-Caribbean Business Conference and Business Networking session is planned for February 3 at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.
This conference is aimed at raising the attention of Chinese and Caribbean business circles to policies pertaining to the development of bilateral economic and trade relations and to make suggestions to relevant government agencies on strengthening China-Caribbean economic and trade cooperation.
The Conference will allow business representatives from China and the Caribbean to interact. It is structured to facilitate maximum direct contact among companies, through business match-making meetings, social events and free time in the programme.
Parallel to the Forum, will be the China-Caribbean Trade Fair which will be held at the Kingston National Arena.
Commodities from China will include communication and information products, mechanical and electronic products, household appliances, motorcycle and accessories, light industry products, handicraft, textiles and garments, agriculture and primary products, bio-pharmaceutical technology and products.
For more information about the business forum and trade show and how to register, companies can log on to the Forum’s web site at, http://cncforum English.mofcom,gov.cn/ Companies can also contact the Economic and Commercial Councellor’s Office at the Chinese Embassy in Guyana at, guyecon 1@netsworkgy.com
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