In national support group…
THE Ministry of Health yesterday reported that it has sent teams to Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) to ensure that the care needs of the communities affected by the floods are addressed.
The Ministry is part of the national support group, including the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the Ministries of Local Government, Public Works and Agriculture, providing assistance to the Region.
Overtopping of the Upper Demerara River has led to flooding in many areas of the  Region and, compounded by Spring tides and heavy rains over the past week, the river overflowed its banks in Linden, Great Falls, Malali and Muritaro.
The Ministry has, to date, been assessing the situation in the Region and has provided supplies, based on that assessment.
Water purification tablets and emergency health care kits, that cater to the needs of at least 50 people, were among the things sent.
The Ministry said, so far, 10 kits have been dispatched to the Region and another 30 are expected to be delivered over the weekend.
A team was yesterday flown to Kwakwani and will be staying in that area to help health professional at the hospital there.
According to the Health Ministry, that team will also be visiting other riverine communities and additional personnel have been deployed to assist the Regional Health Officers (RHOs) in the Region.
The RHOs, the Ministry said, have been requested to remain at Linden Hospital Complex, because the services there need to be elevated and the aim is to ensure that there is no problem.
The Ministry said it is not responding to a crisis but has targeted its response to prevent such a situation.
The Ministry assured that daily surveillance is being done and advisories provided  the communities through public announcements and pamphlets.
It added that the health situation is also being monitored in all the regions to ensure that, if need arises, teams are ready to respond.