Greater national unity, cooperation will propel progress – President Jagdeo
Georgetown, GINA, May 27, 2009
Despite the great strides that Guyana has made since its independence on May 26, 1966, much more can be made with greater unity, cooperation and a supportive political environment. This was the message of President Bharrat Jagdeo at the gala flag-raising ceremony at the National Park on May 25.
“We have come a far way since Independence because of the efforts of our people, but much more progress can be made if we have a supportive political environment. Our people's desire for a better life imposes on us the obligation to pursue greater national unity and cooperation,” the Head of State said.
“We therefore must seek to implement a framework for improved cooperation between our political parties, particularly the major parties the PPP (People’s Progressive Party) and the PNC/R (People’s National Congress/Reform) and to foster engagements that go beyond Parliamentary exchanges and that are more reflective of the enormity of the challenges facing Guyana. While we may not find common ground on every issue and while differences will persist, the need for joint action in response to these challenges must surmount our differences.”
A huge crowd gathered to watch the cultural and military displays organized by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, to listen to the President’s address, enjoy the dazzling fireworks extravaganza and to finally, witness the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead at midnight.
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Climate change presents inescapable threats, but offer opportunities – President Jagdeo
Georgetown, GINA, May 27, 2009
President Jagdeo has warned that climate change does not only threaten economic and financial systems but also the very existence of life on the planet, and Guyana is not immune to its effects. The Head of State was addressing a large crowd that was gathered at the National Park to celebrate the start of Guyana’s 43rd independence anniversary on May 25.
“Unseasonal weather patterns and rising sea levels have necessitated increased expenditure to address the consequences of flooding and the overtopping of our river and sea defences.”
However, climate change has also provided the opportunity for Guyana to re-tool its economy onto a low-carbon development strategy that will set an example to the world that economic development and climate change mitigation are compatible goals.
“While climate change presents inescapable threats, it also offers opportunities for Guyana to develop and market a whole range of environmental services including services linked to tourism, research and development of our eco-system and a center for the study of our biodiversity,” the Head of State explained. “The people of Guyana can literally lead the world in forging a new low deforestation, low carbon economy where our national development and combating climate change become compatible objectives.”
To this end, public consultations on the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) will begin shortly.
“The strategy sets out our vision for sustaining our economic progress in light of the new challenges and opportunities presented by climate change. It draws on our Guyanese insights into how existing development objectives can be accelerated to continue our work to create a socially just and prosperous Guyana, but in a way that simultaneously helps the world devise solutions for stopping tropical deforestation, which is the cause of 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions,” President Jagdeo said.
President Jagdeo had already met with the indigenous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss the LCDS.
The Head of State had indicated that over a two-month period, extensive debate and consultations will be held seeking to involve the widest cross-section of the Guyanese population.
The exercise will start off with a national stakeholders’ meeting in Region Four (Demerara) that would bring together all the stakeholders – politicians, labour movement, private sector, indigenous people, forestry users and miners.
“Then we hope to have separate consultations in Regions Two and Six. These are the two (other) counties so we will have (consultations) in Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice, and then we’ll have a series of consultations in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten with our indigenous people. We plan to then bring all the Toshaos out to have a conference. The consultations we will hold throughout the period will stimulate…active debates on TV and radio about climate change and its impact on countries like ours and our model,” the Head of State had said.
The discussion will then be taken to the National Assembly so that the Members of Parliament can get involved too, the President had said.
At the meeting with the Amerindian NGOs, President Jagdeo had outlined that the LCDS will provide the broad framework of Guyana’s response to climate change and will hinge, in particular on Guyana deploying its forests to mitigate global climate change.
He further indicated that the strategy builds on work done in the last year which culminated in the launch in December 2008 of Guyana’s Position on Avoided Deforestation which essentially serves as the model for the strategy’s development. President Jagdeo informed that several initiatives which are underway, such as the Readiness Planning Initiative with the World Bank will be subsumed within the LCDS.
President Jagdeo has been at the forefront of the carbon credit initiative, promoting the maintenance of Guyana’s pristine standing forests in exchange for funding to pursue the Government’s development agenda. He has already attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, held meetings with Prince Charles in London, and with the Norwegian President in that country and made presentations to members of the US Congress in Washington, D.C. earlier this year on the matter.
“I remain confident that the people of Guyana are ready to play our part – but it is vital that the rest of the world works with us. Our planet is running out of time, and greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2020 at the latest. That is just over a decade away. It will be impossible to do this unless the historic polluters make significant commitments to cut their emissions and provide the incentives for emerging economies to address their emission levels without compromising prosperity. It would also be impossible to stabilize the planet's temperature without urgent action in forestry starting now given the lead time to introduce clean energy and technology transfer systems,” The Head of State noted at the flag-raising ceremony.
“Our strategy sets out how this might be done, and how with the right incentives, Guyana will avoid gigatons of emissions that would have been produced by an otherwise economically rational development path. These incentives can enable us to realign Guyana’s future development onto a low carbon trajectory where we can invest in low carbon economic infrastructure such as the hydro plant at Amaila Falls, open up access to some of our prime non-forested agricultural land such as the Intermediate Savannahs, provide the means for indigenous peoples to access new economic opportunity and protect our people and productive land from the changing weather patterns caused by climate change.”
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Agriculture Minister reiterates President Jagdeo’s call to reposition agriculture- Consultations begin to chart way forward for agri-business
Georgetown, GINA, May 27, 2009
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud today reiterated President Bharrat Jagdeo’s initiative to reposition agriculture in the Caribbean as Caribbean nations met today to chart the way forward to expand agri-business in the region. He made these remarks at the opening of the two-day Public- Private Sector Consultation on Agri-business which was hosted by the CARICOM Secretariat at the Pegasus Hotel.
The Agriculture Minister in quoting President Jagdeo said that a policy and strategy was needed to decide on what sort of institutions and mechanisms are needed to reposition agriculture in the Caribbean Region.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud making his address at the opening of the CARICOM agri-business forum.
Article 56 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas also states that the goal of the Community Agricultural Policy shall be: "the fundamental transformation of the Agricultural sector towards market oriented, internationally competitive and environmentally sound production of agricultural products; increased production and diversification of processed agricultural products; and an enlarged share of the markets for primary and processed agricultural products."
At a workshop on formulating draft proposals in respect of the Jagdeo Initiative, it was recommended, in relation to the key binding constraint of "lack of entrepreneurship and investment in the Agri-Business Sector", that interventions by the private sector should be to promote and invest more in agriculture so that agribusiness can develop and grow; thus enhancing employment at national and regional levels.
It was also recommended that within the public sector there should be institutional reform of public agricultural and agri-business support agencies with a view to changing the institutional culture for business support.
Minister Persaud noted that the Jagdeo Initiative represents the first practical regional roadmap to achieve the transformation of regional agriculture and if quickly implemented, the regional agriculture sector will be poised for a faster take-off. He added that these consultations will aid in quickening the pace of implementation.
Some of stakeholders at the opening of the CARICOM agri-business forum.
He advised that the private sector must not be too overly dependent on the public sector nor must the public sector be lagging behind in providing the required institutional support and policy environment for the agri-business sector.
With the global crises on finance, food supply, climate change and constant new threats, Minister Persaud said the Caribbean Community has to be prepared to meet these
challenges to mitigate and cushion the negative impact on economies. These consultations are aimed at weathering these effects through effective public-private collaboration.
According to the Agriculture Minister, the expectation arising out of these consultations is that a framework will be created for strong collaboration between both sectors to bring about improvement in the economies of the region, particularly in the area of agri-business.
A critical task of the consultations will be to identify the building blocks required for a viable agri-business sector. The consultations will focus on what resources are available and how efficiently these can be allocated.
Minister Persaud noted that for too long Caribbean nations have been dependent on the production of a few primary commodities, such as sugar and bananas, subject to trade agreements that were termed "of indefinite duration" only to see these unilaterally
terminated by the European Union.
The EU has shown little sign of remorse for its unfair, abrupt changes to the trading arrangements as it now seems bent on using the promised package of assistance as a device for us to tow-the-line. In Guyana's case, there is a feeling that the recent abrupt and inflexible action by the Commission regarding the sugar accompanying measures might be related to our principled objections to the Economic Partnership Agreements, Minister Persaud said.
These types of situations, he said, demand that the region put their houses in order very early. He stated that now is the time for them to take their activities beyond the usual talk-shop level and into an enhanced action mode.
Minister Persaud said the region has several unique agricultural products
that need to be branded and marketed worldwide including Guyana's El Dorado rum and
Demerara Gold Sugar are fine examples of what can be achieved. He added that more needed to be identified and aggressively marketed.
This approach has been adopted in Guyana via the new public sector-financed US$30M agriculture diversification programme whereby marketing studies were done to identify the most competitive products resulting in the selection of about six which will be focused on initially.
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Five Amerindian communities receive chainsaws
Georgetown, GINA, May 27, 2009
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, during a recent visit to Region Nine, handed over five chainsaws to several communities in the Region, including Massara, Wowetta, Pai Pang, Taushida, and Apoteri.
The donation was made based on a request from the communities. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall, Regional Chairman Clarindo Lucas, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Donald Gajraj and Toshaos from the villages and other residents witnessed the ceremony.
Minister Sukhai said that she was very pleased to be there and donate the equipment to the communities, as it will help to boost the communities development and complement Government’s effort to improve the lives of its indigenous people.
The chainsaws that were donated to the communities.
The Minister encouraged the Toshaos to use the equipment in the best interest of the community.
The Toshaos expressed their gratitude to the Minister and the Government for meeting their request and pledged to use the equipment to enhance their community development.
Toashao Bertie Xavier from Wowetta village said that the equipment will support them in their work, especially logging and will go a far way in helping them in their quest to improve their standard of living.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and Minister of Local Gov’t and Regional Development Kellawan Lall presenting the equipment to the Toshaos.
Government has been making donations to several Amerindian communities throughout the 10 administrative Regions. Recently, Minister Sukhai and a team of Government officials visited Region One, and donated a tractor to residents of Kamwatta and White Water and an outboard engine was given to residents of Three Brothers.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai handing over one of the chainsaws to Toshao Bertie Xavier of Wowetta Village, while other Toshaos looks on.
Amerindian communities are also beneficiaries of presidential grants ranging from $500,000 to $1.7M to develop economic projects to aid their development process, in addition to providing infrastructure. This is in keeping with the Administration’s efforts to improve the lives of its indigenous people and hinterland communities.
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Minister Prashad confident Pegasus will promote Guyana, boost tourism
Georgetown, GINA, May 27, 2009
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad during the ceremony to re-launch the Pegasus hotel on May 25, expressed confidence that under new ownership, the hotel will keep promoting Guyana, boost its tourism and improve its services.
Speaking at the launch Minister Prashad told the attendees that he’s very pleased that for the first time the hotel is owned by Guyanese. “Ninety Five percent of hotels is owned by foreigners and it shows much confidence in the Government; we have a unique tourism and we need much more investors.”
To mark its launch and to show its appreciation, the hotel will offer a special weekend package of US $100.
New Chairman of Pegasus Robert Badal speaking at the hotel’s re-launch
Minister Prashad speaking on the issue said that his Ministry has been calling for such packages to encourage local tourism. He said that there is vast investment in Guyana in the tourism sector and that Guyana is well recognized for its development as well as its birding destination.
Chairman of the Hotel, Robert Badal said that there will be changes in the service that the hotel will offer to patrons. He said that it will create jobs for many.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad and to his right Dr. Yesu Persaud at the re-launch of Pegasus hotel.
“My company is very satisfied in the investment of the hotel and intends to build on the strength over the years; we have made a great choice in investing in this hotel and can assure you that with the US$3 M will reflect the standard of the hotel as a Five Star one.”
Badal said that he is confident that he will succeed. He said that one year ago he would have never dreamed of owning a hotel. According to Badal, the hotel’s management seeks to improve and remodel its services which include, a new sports bar, gym and spa, upgrades to the lobby, pool area and Café.
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Swift, focused gov’t responses have protected against food, fuel price hikes
- President Jagdeo tells large crowd at National Park flag-raising ceremony
Georgetown, GINA, May 27, 2009
“Much of last year was characterized by a fuel and food crisis that saw the most rapid price escalation in living memory. Just as the historically high oil prices threatened the viability of fuel intensive industries and impacted on the cost of transportation and food production, so did food prices threaten to condemn millions around the world to hunger and poverty,” President Jagdeo told the large crowd gathered on May 25 at the National Park to observe the fireworks display and other activities that marked the start of Guyana’s 43rd independence anniversary celebration.
However, he explained that his administration was proactive in this very difficult situation, acting decisively to protect Guyanese from hikes in food and fuel prices.
“Government’s policy response was swift and focused, and directed at protecting the welfare of the working people and the most vulnerable in our society. Our strategy was aimed at ensuring the continued availability of affordable supplies of basic necessities and restricting the ‘pass through’ of imported price increases,” he said.
“In direct response to the upward movement in fuel prices, we intervened by reducing the excise tax on fuel , thereby providing direct protection to final consumers of fuel products and securing the continued viability of those productive sectors for whom fuel is a significant input. We also provided a cash subsidy to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), which cushioned the effects of high fuel costs on both businesses and households.”
Government also invested millions of dollars in subsidies to reduce the cost of staples such as wheat, to ensure their continued distribution at affordable prices. These subsidies ensured that the prices of wheat products such as bread remained stable during times of rapidly escalating world prices.
Also, a temporary cost of living adjustment of $4,000 was added to the salaries of all public service employees earning less than $50,000 per month in May 2008 that was later made permanent. All other public service employees were given a 5% increase in their salaries.
He also noted that despite these fiscal measures, Government was able to manage the economy astutely thereby containing the growth of the fiscal deficit, maintaining adequate international reserves and stable exchange rates, and safeguarding the continued growth in the economy.
“Furthermore, all of this we achieved while sustaining spending on investments in the social sector and in infrastructure,” President Jagdeo stated.
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President urges Guyanese to never forget independence struggle
Georgetown, GINA, May 27, 2009
At the gala flag-raising ceremony at the National Park on May 25, President Bharrat Jagdeo urged the very large crowd gathered to witness the cultural and military displays, the spectacular fireworks and the raising of the Golden Arrowhead at midnight to never forget the struggle that was waged for independence.
“This annual observance is intended to celebrate the attainment of this important status as a nation, and to ensure that no Guyanese ever forgets the struggle that was successfully waged in the long road to securing the birth of independent Guyana,” the Head of State said.
However, he stressed that although independence was achieved, the struggle to ensure that Guyana is a free state working for the improvement of the lives of all Guyanese will never cease.
“This freedom we earned at Independence was not absolute but was one we have constantly had to defend and protect, just as the next generation and the generations to come will have to safeguard and secure the boundaries of true independence,” President Jagdeo explained. “Indeed, throughout the period since our colonial experience, until today, Guyana has had to overcome adversity in all forms and fashion, both within and without, in order to continue to give true meaning to our independence and to build a nation in which our citizens can realize their aspirations.”
He also encouraged those old enough to witness the raising of the Golden Arrowhead for the first time 43 years ago to pass on a sense of patriotism to the next generation.
“For those of you who are old enough to have borne witness to this historic event, and to have participated in the fight for independence, I am sure that the sense of patriotism that was evoked on that occasion will inspire you to spare no effort in cultivating in the present and future generations, the values of struggle and sacrifice for the cause of our country,” the President urged.
He also remembered the struggles of the many Guyanese who sacrificed so much to ensure that Guyanese today are able to enjoy freedom from colonial rule.
“We are here today because of the resolve of our forebears to struggle indefatigably for our day in the sun. The theater of our battles has been everywhere-streets, chambers, press, courts and markets. Men, women, and children, believers and non believers have been in the struggle for Guyana. That we have prevailed stands testimony to the righteousness of our struggle and to the commitment and resolve of our fighters.”
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Education Ministry’s drive to computerise schools gets boost
-Food for the Poor donates systems
Georgetown, GINA, May 27, 2009
The Ministry of Education’s goal to fully computerize all secondary schools and 50% of primary schools was taken a step further today when Food for the Poor (FFTP) Guyana Inc. donated complete computer systems to the Ministry to be used as training tools in the area of Information Technology for Regions Three, Four, Five and Six.
The schools benefiting from today’s donation of more than 20 computer systems are in depressed communities which have been targeted for skills development in keeping with the Ministry’s five-year strategic plan for 2008-2013.Among the beneficiaries are Supply and Plaisance Primary Schools, St.Winefride’s Secondary and Ascension and Wales Community High schools.
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh who received the systems on behalf of the Ministry said in setting this challenging goal, the Ministry assumed in the plan that it would receive donations from the Diaspora.
“Last year we received about 500 computers in Canada and the USA, this year we expect to surpass that number. We will be working with a number of NGOs overseas so I’m happy that Food for the Poor has now become a part of the donor group to assist the Ministry in achieving this goal,” the Minister said.
Food for the Poor Chairman, Paul Chan-a-Sue hands over the Systems to Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh surrounded by some of the students and teachers who will benefit.
The Ministry of Education currently has an ongoing a programme the ‘Success Maker’ under which, computer laboratories have been installed in 14 schools.
Minister Baksh said this programme has enhanced the learning capabilities of the students and this has prompted the decision to extend this programme to 40 more schools. “We have received the funding and now in the process of procuring those computers,” he disclosed.
He said the training systems donated by FFTP will also assist in improving teaching and learning in the school system, in particular the literacy and numeracy.
Minister Baksh said the Ministry is committed to providing the necessary support services to the schools. “We are working with the schools to ensure that they prepare the area for the installation of these computers and they will be given technical assistance,” he said.
Chairman of FFTP, Paul Chan-a-Sue noted that the world is rapidly becoming computerized and Guyana cannot afford to be left behind.
Some of the training computer systems donated to the Ministry of Education by Food for the Poor, (Guyana) INC.
He said the one training computer system comprises one Central Processing Unit (CPU), seven monitors, seven keyboards and other necessities.
The systems were designed solely for the purpose of training. The main CPU feeds directly to the other six units. The teacher or instructor can then assign a task to all six monitors or individual tasks to each of the students.
Food for the Poor has over the years assisted the Ministry with necessary school supplies including furniture and books. Apart from the presentation of the Computer systems, the organisation will also be involved in school furniture exercise (combination chairs and cupboards) to various schools in the country to complement the existing seating arrangements available to students. This would cost about $800, 000.
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Legislative shield to protect women, children being built – President Jagdeo
Georgetown, GINA, May 27, 2009
Government’s efforts to combat crime and violence were expounded by President Bharrat Jagdeo when he delivered the feature address during the flag-raising ceremony at the National Park to mark to start of Guyana’s 43rd independence anniversary celebrations, especially efforts to protect women and children.
“Our commitment to fostering pride and dignity amongst Guyanese would not allow us to tolerate the abuse of our women and children. My administration remains committed to building a legislative shield to protect our women and children even as we recognize that legislation is just one of many means which are required to end the sickening and tragic scourge of domestic violence,” the President said.
To this end, several pieces of legislation have been passed by the National Assembly focused on child welfare and protection including the Child Care Protection Agency Bill, the Protection of Children Bill, the Status of Children Bill and the Adoption of Children Bill.
“Work is also proceeding on the Child Care Services and Development Bill and the Custody, Guardianship and Maintenance of Children Bill,” the large crowd gathered was told.
To stop domestic abuse of women, the President explained that greater emphasis is being placed on the work of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and other agencies that provide assistance to battered women.
“In response to the alarming level of domestic violence and the horrific murders, my Administration has intensified its support to victims by increasing the funding for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Legal Aid and Help and Shelter, and caused to be instituted a more sensitive and proactive approach by the Guyana Police Force in responding to the victims,” the President explained.
Further, the Constitutional Rights Commissions to protect the welfare of women and children have been enacted by Parliament and will be operational shortly. Also, a Family Court is being established which would consolidate the handling of all family- related legal matters.
Legislative efforts are focused on curbing crime and violence in communities as well. “We have revolutionized court rules dealing with evidence and procedures. We have also instituted harsher penalties including identifying non-bailable offences such as piracy. We have also enacted laws to provide for mandatory supervision for convicted felons of certain crimes including paedophilia,” the Head of State noted.
“Due to the carnage on the road, we have introduced legislation to penalize driving under the influence of alcohol and provide for the use of radar guns to control speeding, two of the most common causes of fatalities from traffic accidents,” the President added.
On May 22, President Jagdeo assented to the Evidence and Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill which makes it an offence to drive under the influence of alcohol.
The Bill places restrictions on the amount of alcohol a driver is allowed to consume while driving. The limit is a breath alcohol concentration of 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliliters of breath and blood alcohol concentration of 80 milligrams in 100 milliliters of blood or the equivalent of two beers.
All these measures are intended to provide Guyanese with a greater sense of security, allowing for the productive development of Guyana and the improvement of the standard of living of its people.
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Dr. Luncheon withdraw from Security Sector reform negotiations
- cites UK’s contravention of initial agreements
Georgetown, GINA, May 27, 2009
Head of the Presidential Secretariat of the Office of the President Dr. Roger Luncheon has expressed total dismay at a recent proposal submitted in the form of two documents by the United Kingdom on the Security Sector Reform Plan (SSRP), which he said was in contravention of the commitments already made between the Guyana Government and the UK.
Dr. Luncheon penned his disappointment to the British High Commissioner and his intention to withdraw from any further participation in the agreements on the SSRP. A correspondence was also submitted to President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Dr. Luncheon in a statement today made reference to a Stabroek News’ article dated May 26 in which British High Commissioner to Guyana Fraser Wheeler blamed the government for delaying the implementation of the UK funded SSRP.
According to the article the High Commissioner was “frustrated” about the “slow pace” at which the reform plan was going.
Dr. Luncheon who is also Secretary to the Defence Board said the Guyana Government and the UK have for long been in engagements on the SSRP and have been successful at implementing an interim Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and several other commitments.
Among them is the successful completion, during the last quarter of 2008, of negotiations on the policy that would lead to the security sector reform in Guyana.
“That policy and its implementation would have allowed us to convert an interim MoU to the permanent MoU,” Dr Luncheon said.
He added that he was subsequently advised by the High Commissioner that the policy document was subject to the consent of the UK’s Minister of the Department For International Development (DFID).
Dr. Luncheon said he was then informed that the documents reflected in detail the commitments made between the Government and the UK during 2008 and was also urged to sign an MoU that would confirm the implementation of the SSRP.
The documents when reviewed by Dr. Luncheon and members of the security sector secretariat were offensive and segregated from many of the agreements made in December 2008.
“I indicated this informally to the DFID representative here and I drew to the Commander in Chief President Jagdeo my absolute rejection of the proposals in the document. I subsequently had cause to write the British High Commissioner indicating in some detail what it is I found so distasteful to the extent that I even requested the President to be relieved of this unduly onerous responsibility of negotiating the security sector reform project with the British,” Dr Luncheon said.
He believes that the way in which the most recent decisions trifled on the said agreements, was the bone of contention that prompted the rejection of the document and his decision to be relieved of his responsibility on behalf of the Government to conclude agreement on the SSRP.
Dr. Luncheon has since penned his position to the President and the British High Commissioner.
In August 2007, Dr. Luncheon and the British High Commissioner signed an interim MoU for a four-year £3M for the SSRP.
The plan includes operational capacity building for the police force through strengthening policy and financial management in the security sector, a uniformed response to crime, forensics, crime intelligence and traffic policing and fostering greater public participation.
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Lymphatic Filariasis programme to be taken to Region Two shortly
-programme results in reduction of worm infestation
Georgetown, GINA, May 27, 2009
The Health Ministry’s National Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) programme will be taken to Region Two shortly as the Ministry continues its effort to eliminate lymphatic filariasis which is caused by round, thread-like worms.
The first phase of the programme which was conducted in Region Five on October 31, 2008 saw more than 9,500 homes and approximately 40, 000 citizens targeted. The second phase targeted about 120,000 people in Region Six in December 2008.
Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud during an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) said that within two weeks a team of volunteers will be ready to distribute the worm tablets on a house-to- house basis to communities in Region Two, including the riverain areas.
The Ministry, he said continues to conduct comprehensive monitoring of the programme by collecting samples from the targeted population.
Dr Persaud indicated that the Ministry has seen a reduction in worm infestation in areas where mass treatment has been conducted.
“We were able to reach about 91 percent of the target…once we can achieve about 80 to 90 percent of the population I think our objective is likely to reduce the chance of transmission,” he said.
The Ministry’s de-worming programme was introduced with the aim of eliminating this public health problem by 2012.
During visitation and distribution exercise Albendazole and DEC (Diethylcarbamazine) tablets are administered.
Every citizen, except children under two years old and pregnant women, are offered treatment.
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