–   ready to respond to immediate and anticipated needs, Ramsammy says
The Ministry of Health is taking a proactive approach to ensuring that there are no major health problems in the flood hit Region 9 (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo), according to Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy. Ramsammy updated the media on the ministry’s efforts during a press briefing yesterday, and stated that the ministry has been monitoring the situation in Region 9 for several weeks now, and as of last Friday launched its flood response when the conditions turned abnormal.
“The ministry is anticipating the problem, not waiting for it to happen,” he stressed.
According to him, the support measures include:
* The deployment of additional health workers, including two Medex and a doctor
* The distribution of medical kits
* Having the procurement officer maintain a minimum of 10 flood kits to ensure availability when the need arises
* Ensuring a clean water supply through the distribution of Chloro-Sol, a special water treatment formula to make water safer for use, and
* Stepping up surveillance and daily reports from the Regional Health Officer.
The minister noted that the major health problems will not arise now; rather they will probably come to the fore as the flood waters recede.
“We are looking for leptospirosis, diarrhoea and vomiting and skin diseases…we are not waiting for these; for example, residents have creams for skin rashes…the other problems, like malaria and dengue will be subsequent problems,” he said.
Ramsammy explained that in terms of vector control, communities will benefit from spraying and fogging at the appropriate time.
He explained that the health workers in Region Nine are in constant contact with the Central Ministry on a daily basis, reporting directly to him, the Chief Medical Officer, the Regional Health Services Director, the Maternal and Child Health Department, or the relevant authority.
Ramsammy lauded the efforts of Regional Health Officer, Dr. Khanhai and his team in mobilising the situation so far.
An important part of the Ministry’s response, he said, is public education, which is currently ongoing in the region.
“Measures are in place for immediate response in terms of human resource and supplies; and as we anticipate the needs, we are responding, not waiting for them to happen, like with malaria and dengue,” the minister said.

MAJOR CHALLENGE
According to him, the major challenge is protecting and securing the cold chain, since vaccines and some other medicines need to be kept in a refrigerated environment.
“It is not feasible to be sending vaccines and other supplies from here to the region, but maintaining the cold chain is a major challenge,” he said.
Reports are that Lethem is enduring several hours of blackout because the power company is rationing fuel. The roads and bridges are damaged and supplies are limited.
To this end, Ramsammy said arrangements are being put in place to secure the medical supplies needing cold storage.
Another area of concern, he noted, is that of maternal and child health.
He stressed that all children under five and pregnant women are being monitored by Community Health Workers.
“Because the population is small, we know the pregnant women who are part of the clinic and are monitoring them on an individual basis to ensure no crisis develops,” he said.
Region 9 Chairman, Plarindo Lucas, reported that water is receding at half centimeter per hour and is expected to recede at a faster pace with increased numbers of sunshine hours.
However, while the Takutu river is flowing very strongly allowing the water to move away, just as much water is coming down from further south towards the Lethem area and flowing away towards the Rio Branco River in Brazil and the Amazon.

BORDER CONTROL
Ramsammy pointed out that Brazil and Guyana are closely connected, so there is a strong presence of health workers at the border.
“Guyana and Brazil’s health workers share a good working relationship,” he said.
Ramsammy added that a Health Ministry team, made up of environmental health officers, is on standby to visit the region to make their assessment and offer support.
According to the minister, the movement of both people and animals is what the team will be looking at.
He noted that this is important, especially since Guyana has been free from the Foot and Mouth Disease and movement of animals have to be monitored.
“We are looking at preventative measures, instead of curative ones,” Ramsammy stressed.
He added that the ministry is working in close collaboration with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and Ministries of Amerindian Affairs, Agriculture and Local Government, among other partners.
To date there have been no reports of flood related illnesses and supplies continue to make their way to the region through the Regional Health Services Department via the CDC.