President presents certificate of commendation to top CSEC performer from Saraswati Vidya Nikitan School
Georgetown, GINA, January 6, 2010
President Bharrat Jagdeo today presented a certificate of commendation to Rajiv Nandalall, the top performer at the 2009 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations at the Saraswati Vidya Nikitan School, Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara.
The presentation took place at the Office of the President, and Swami Aksharananda, the school’s principal, speaking with the Government Information Agency (GINA) afterwards, stated that the Head of State has been a supporter of the non-profit, non-governmental institution, and usually attends the school’s annual graduation ceremony to present the ‘Best Student’ award.
Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo welcomes Swami Aksharananda of the Saraswati Vidya Nikitan School to the Office of the President – January 6, 2009
However, the President’s busy schedule precluded him from attending the most recent ceremony and the presentation today was arranged as an alternative, Swami Aksharananda added.
Asked about his conversation with President Jagdeo, Nandalall stated that the President encouraged him to continue his pursuit of an education, and wished him success in his future endeavours.
President Jagdeo presents a certificate of commendation to Rajiv Nandalall, the top performer at the 2009 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations at the Saraswati Vidya Nikitan School, who achieved 11 Grade Ones
“I am just honoured to have met him (President Jagdeo); to have been given the opportunity. I hope that I can become more successful in my future endeavours and be a good ambassador for Guyana,” he said.
Nandalall plans to pursue studies in finance and accounting, and at a later date, computer science.
He achieved 11 grade ones at the June 2009 CSEC examinations and was one of Guyana’s top performers.
Rajiv Nandalall displays the certificate of commendation that he received from President Jagdeo. Also in the photo are Swami Aksharananda (left) and Rajiv’s father (right)
Saraswati Vidya Niketan is a Hindu Secondary School. Bhumi Puja (sod turning) for the construction work was performed on the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janamasthmi Day 1998, and classes officially commenced on World Teacher's Day, 5th September 2002, with an enrolment of 35 students.
The current school population is over 200 in classes from Forms One to Five (Grades 7-11).
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Family Court construction on schedule
The construction of the first ever family court in Guyana in the compound of the Supreme Court is well on schedule, following the laying of the foundation in November.
The building is expected to be completed in another five months; at the end of May.
Cabinet granted its approval of the project which is being monitored and supervised by representatives of the Public Works and Human Services Ministries.
PD Contracting, the firm which was tasked with the completion of the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, was given the contract while design and supervisory consultation is being provided by E&A Consultants.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand said the initiative of a family court was prompted by the awareness that the family unit faces internal challenges which result in breakdown.
This recognition has provoked the need to place emphasis on providing an environment where adults and children, seek redress and where family law issues can be discussed in a specialized manner.
The new facility will deal with issues such as divorce, division of property, domestic matters, adoption, guardianship and custody.
Construction works being undertaken on the family court. January 6, 2010.
Minister Manickchand indicated that government is committed to ensuring that families are supported and encouraged.
She disclosed that in early 2009 Cabinet granted a two-fold approval to establish the court and erect a structure in which the entity would be housed.
It was further detailed that the process of compartmentalising family law should begin even before the completion of the building.
Construction works being undertaken on the family court. January 6, 2010.
This is an indication of the importance being placed on judicial preparedness in family welfare matters.
Minister Manickchand has the responsibility of ensuring that the court is completed, operational and properly resourced and staffed.
The new, two-storey building, will replicate the architectural style of the Supreme Court and adjoining library.
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Sea defence structures helped to prevent serious flooding
during spring tide
The Ministry of Public Works and Communication has been strengthening sea defence structures across the country to prevent floods caused by the rising sea level, especially along the coastline.
This effort has proven effective as less areas have been affected by over topping caused by high tide and long range swells emanating from the Atlantic Ocean.
Areas which experienced flooding were Cornelia Ida, Anna Catherina, Leonora and Zeelugt, West Coast Demerara, Region 3 and Montrose, Better Hope, Ogle and Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, Region 4.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn highlighted that the extent of flooding in Anna Catherina could have been prevented had it not been for the illegal shacks encumbering State’s sea defence reserves. He noted that the actions of the illegal squatters were not only dangerous to themselves and family member, but to the community at large.
Irresponsible disposal of garbage in communities also contributed to the flooding.
Agnes Dalrymple, Chief Sea & River Defence Officer stated that drains were cleared of refuse through a collaborative effort by the Ministry and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).
She noted that in addition to sea defence structures being built in various locations including Belladrum, Region 5 and Line Path, Region 6, the Ministry will continue to join forces with the Ministries of Housing and Water, and Local Government and Regional Development and with the NDIA.
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Sea defence strengthened at Henrietta
The Ministry of Public Works and Communications has completed 210 meters of rip-rap sea defence at Henrietta, Leguan, Region 3.
The completion of the structure comes at a juncture when the Ministry is aggressively working towards the strengthening of sea defences across the country.
Work commenced in October 2009 and was completed Tuesday at a cost of $33M. The scope of the works entailed constructing the boulder slope with the use of filter fabric and erecting an earthen embankment behind the slope.
Residents of Henrietta, an agricultural based community are pleased with the completion of the structure since the area is usually affected by salt water which would normally damage their crops and livestock. A stop-off placed behind the structure is preventing overtopping.
Government is constructing sea defence in other areas including Belladrum, D’Edward and Brahn, Region 5 and Line Path and Moleson Creek, Region 6. The Belladrum and Line Path projects are progressing as per schedule and will be completed mid 2010.
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Amerindian Affairs Ministry distributes food hampers to Region Nine residents
-to help mitigate El Nino effects
In its effort to help mitigate the effects of El Nino and provide relief to residents of Region Nine, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs donated over 1500 food hampers to residents of South Central and Deep South Rupununi.
Hampers for distribution at Parikwarinau
Thirteen communities were provided with food hampers worth over $3.8M during the period December 29, 2009 to January 4, 2010 by Projects’ Officers of the Ministry.
The communities were selected based on a previous Ministerial outreach by Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and team from the Ministry and Hinterland Coordinator Harry Persuad Nokta.
The hampers comprised items such as red beans, rice, sugar, farine and cooking oil. The table below shows the communities that received food hampers and the quantity distributed.
Communities |
Hampers distributed |
Achawib |
120 |
Awarewauna |
104 |
Katoonarib |
220 |
Maruranau |
123 |
Nappi |
200 |
Parabara |
50 |
Parikwarinau |
64 |
Potarinau |
110 |
Rupunau |
80 |
Sand Creek |
130 |
Sawariwau |
130 |
Shea |
70 |
Shulinab |
100 |
During the Minister’s visit to the Region, residents had complained of inadequate food supplies due to the loss of crops as a result of the prevailing harsh weather conditions. They lauded government for providing assistance in their time of need.
Potarinau Toshao, Sigfred Albert distributes hampers to villagers
The initiative was a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and Agriculture.
The Region is also benefiting from other El Nino relief which was approved by President Bharrat Jagdeo.
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Health sector reaped huge successes in 2009
-numerous goals and objectives achieved
Year-in-review, GINA, January 6, 2009
The year 2009 saw government's continued commitment to invest heavily in the health sector, through an allocation of $12.8B to train health care personnel, construct, expand, rehabilitate and maintain numerous health buildings across the regions.
These planned investments included the completion of the National Ophthalmology Hospital, operationalising of the Linden Hospital Complex and the construction of the new Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) In-patient facility.
First phase of construction ongoing at GPHC’s in-patient facility
In addition, $32.3M was allocated for the completion of the National Psychiatric hospital at Canje, $18M for the rehabilitation of the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre, $15M the construction of a new building to house the health centre at Belle West, $5M the refurbishing of De Kinderen health centre and repairs to several doctors' quarters.
The achievement of strategies has reaped major successes for the sector as numerous goals and objectives were achieved. This has in turn improved the delivery of quality health care to Guyanese with a wider range of services available.
Consolidation of human resource skills
During the year, training efforts were focused on further expansion and consolidation of human resource skills to complement health institutions being constructed across the country.
Continued training was done at various levels, including for doctors, medex, professional nurses, community health workers, pharmacy and dental assistants, community dental therapists, dentex and rehabilitation practitioners.
New training programmes were also introduced to increase the staff complement and strengthen the healthcare system.
Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran flanked by medex after completing a medex training programme
Health workers' emergency response capabilities were boosted. More than 20 persons including doctors, nurses, medical examiners and attendants sought to regulate approaches to emergency responses and effectively improve the chances of a patient's survival since many casualties that should not have occurred, have often been reported because of poor emergency administration.
This course was implemented in October 2006 and to date, 76 persons have been trained including doctors, nurses, medical examiners and attendants.
The Trauma Team Training course was established by the Ministry of Health's Regional Health Services in partnership with GPHC.
Scholarship awardees
A batch of 30 medical students completed their studies in Cuba and returned on July 30 to serve their country. The sixth year medical students were placed at local health institutions to pursue their internship following which they will practice medicine in the country.
The programme has borne fruit through the signing of a cooperation agreement between Guyana and Cuba that entailed enormous benefits, one aspect of which was the provision of 965 scholarships; 715 in the medical field.
Since its implementation it has been receiving overwhelming response, with students from the various regions including Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine and Ten receiving the scholarships.
National Ophthalmology hospital-a boon for eye patients
With the conclusion of the Cuba/Guyana 'Mission Miracle' programme, Guyana's state-of-the-art National Ophthalmology Hospital at Port Mourant Berbice opened its doors conducting the first eye surgeries on July 28 for eye ailments including cataract and pterygium.
The hospital has served over 11, 000 patients for various eye ailments since it became operational in February 9, 2009. Approximately 1000 surgeries were conducted for 2009. Over 160 patients underwent surgeries for cataract, 975 for pterygium and 14 for laser surgeries.
The institution is expected to conduct approximately 10,000 major eye surgeries per year.
New in-patient facility
Work commenced on the upgrade of the $1.2B GPHC in-patient facility located between Lamaha and Thomas Streets, part of the hospital's master plan and the national development strategy. Upon completion it will accommodate approximately 300 in-patients.
The first phase of construction work is expected to be completed within 18-months.
The GPHC is also seeking to integrate and consolidate in-patient services which are currently dispersed at the institution.
Lethem Hospital –serving 20,000 people
The year also saw Region Nine taking up its role as a major frontier town with the opening of the Takutu River Bridge and the completion of the Lethem Hospital Complex that is outfitted with modern equipment and facilities including theatres, in-patient and out-patient facilities, pharmacy and laboratory and will be offering a wide range of services.
The spanking new Lethem Hospital, Region Nine.
It is manned by staff from the old hospital and the Ministry of Health periodically sends in "roaming visiting teams" to complement its work.
Linden Hospital Complex
To rebuild and rehabilitate degraded physical infrastructure of the health sector, government refurbished the Linden Hospital complex to offer a wider range of services to the public.
The new hospital located near the old McKenzie Hospital Complex in Watooka provides health care services to Lindeners and people travelling from the riverain communities.
Linden Hospital
It was constructed at a cost of $2B and offers rehabilitation services including physiotherapy, occupational, and speech therapy and audiology; laboratory services for several types of testing including blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney and liver function, malaria, dengue fever and others; emergency services; outpatient services; pharmacy; radiology; and optometry.
Diagnostic Centres-providing valuable services
The Diamond East Bank Regional Hospital and the Suddie, Leonora and Mahaicony diagnostic and treatment centres were also part of the agreement that was signed in 2006 between Guyana and Cuban to improve health care services in the country.
Since their establishment they have been serving their purpose of taking the burden off the main hospital, the GPHC. Overall they have seen over 555,400 people; Patients seen by these four centres were Diamond 103, 663 patients, Leonora Diagnostic Centre, 67,059 patients; Suddie Diagnostic Centre, 63,431 patients and Mahaicony Diagnostic Centre, 58, 322 patients. The centres offered services including:-Lab tests, Ultra Sounds, Endoscopy, X-ray, ECG, surgeries, deliveries, dental treatment.
Mabaruma Hospital
Mabaruma Hospital, Region One
Located in Region One, the Mabaruma Hospital commenced clinical work during 2009 benefiting residents of that area and surrounding communities.
The hospital boasts four expanded wards, 36 beds for in-patients, an X-ray department, operating theatre, delivery room and other supporting departments. It was constructed at a cost of approximately $120M.
Basic Nutrition Programme (BNP)-preserving children's growth
Sprinkles Nutritional Supplement
Approximately $190M was allocated in 2009 towards the continuation of the "Sprinkles" programme to ensure that children's growth and development is preserved.
About 20,000 beneficiaries were targeted through the distribution of nutritional supplements and food voucher coupons.
A mother receives sprinkle and food voucher coupon for her child.
Mothers during registration also benefit from a free monthly food coupon valued $1000, which is used at designated shops to purchase food items such as full-cream milk, barley, cornmeal and plantain flour for porridge.
Through the programme there has been evidence of behaviour change in mothers, in relation to their feeding practices.
Expanded range of health services
During the year two new medical centres; eye and laparoscopy were added to the GPHC. Through collaborative efforts between Guyana and the People's Republic of China equipment were donated to the centres at a cost of over US$60,000 with the aim of upgrading and expanding the services offered locally.
Kidney Transplants
Surgery being performed on a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
More Kidney transplants were conducted at the GPHC during the year following the successful operation done for the first time in 2008.
The surgeries were spearheaded by an overseas medical team, assisted by local doctors and nurses.
HIV/AIDS prevention
The Ministry remained committed in 2009 in its fight against HIV/AIDS through the implementation of programmes to eradicate stigma and discrimination in work environments.
Through the Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) programme which was introduced in the early 1990s it has promote behaviour change by improving the quality of life of individuals and their families.
In November, 2009 over 9,000 persons were tested during the Ministry's National Week of Testing.
Eradicating malaria
Realizing that malaria poses a major threat to global health and disadvantaged economic development, the Ministry of Health continued its efforts in 2009 to raise awareness of the pandemic and the importance of fighting the spread of the disease.
Through partnership formed with various groups including churches, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and private entities in both the mining and forestry sectors, in the last year the incidence of the disease has reduced. There has been a recorded 92 percent reduction in affected and diagnosed patients.
Cases of malaria are expected to be reduced to less than 8000 by 2010 and totally eliminated as a public health problem in the country by 2015.
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