| Persons uplifting $10,000 flood grant must produce ID
Georgetown, GINA, April 22, 2005
Persons who will be uplifting their $10,000 flood relief cheques are required to have proof of their identity and residency.
Head of the Recovery Planning and Implementing Secretariat (RP&IS), Mr. Robeson Benn today said that some persons are not presenting proof of identity or residency, resulting in complications relating to verification.
Persons are asked to take their National Identification Card (ID) or Passport for identification. For proof of residency, persons should present bills either from the Guyana Power & Light (GPL) or Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T). A rental receipt can also be used.
He pointed out that persons who were unable to register claims for damage or loss during the flood are asked to register at the Centre at which the cheques are being issued in their respective communities.
Persons are also required to have proof of identity and residency when filling the required information on a green form that will be provided by officials of the (RP&IS). Cheques will be issued as soon as they are available. Mr. Benn noted that members of the National Democratic Council would also be present at the centres to help in the verification process when distributing cheques.
Last weekend, the distribution of cheques started in the areas of Buxton and Annandale.
Benn said that Ann’s Grove, Beterverwagting, Better Hope, Bachelor’s Adventure, Bare Root, Beehive and Belfield have been identified for distribution of cheques next. The areas will be dealt with in alphabetical order.
The RP&IS will soon begin targeting small farmers who suffered losses during the January flood.
Mr. Benn also explained that registration of persons for the $10,000 in Regions Three and Five have been completed and the data is now in the process of being down loaded into the computers for verification.
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Mechanism in place to investigate maternal and infant death
-Health Minister
Georgetown , GINA, April 22 2005
Mechanisms are in place to automatically have every maternal and infant death at public hospitals investigated.
This is according to Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy. The New Amsterdam Hospital and the Georgetown Public Hospital both have the mechanisms to investigate such incidences, and others which do not have are in the process of implementing it.
Minister Ramsammy said that in January, and again in April, the relevant sectors were instructed that any maternal and infant death must be automatically investigated.
The report on a recent maternal death at the New Amsterdam Hospital was submitted to the Ministry and it is currently being studied. Minister Ramsammy said as soon as this was known, the investigating team of the hospital, led by Pastor Roy Thakurdial, carried out an investigation. Some weaknesses were identified and a number of recommendations made.
The recommendations dealt with the processes involved, and some of them have already been implemented.
The report was not made public and the Minister in no way wants this action to be misconstrued as the Ministry trying to conceal the issue.
"The non-publication of the report has nothing to do with the Ministry of Health or the Hospital attempting to keep it a secret." He stressed that it is a process and from the findings it will be determined whether a more in-depth investigation has to be done.
In addition to recommended changes, there will be further departmental changes and reorganisations within the hospitals. Minister Ramsammy said he recently spoke with the relevant officer of Region 6, and by next Wednesday, specific changes will be instituted.
"We are not saying that every time such a death occurs that some one is to be blamed, but we look at the system and the kind of interventions to identify weaknesses."
The Health Minister said the report will be referred to the Medical Council for its recommendations. This will further advise the Ministry on moving forward as regards the issue.
'This initiative is in no way meant to point fingers, but if in the process we discover negligence, the appropriate action will be taken." He reiterated that such a move is merely to improve the system and the quality of health care.
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