—MINISTER Ramsaran lauds NGOs for work done during flood
Minister in the Ministry of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, has lauded agencies such as the Guyana Red Cross and the Remote Area Medical (RAM) Guyana Inc. for their roles during the recent flood situation in Region 9. RAM, a non-governmental organization is located in the Rupununi and has a light aircraft that is based in Lethem, to respond to medical emergencies. It is used by the Ministry of Health on its medical outreach programmes. This aircraft was used recently to medevac two Dadanawa, South Rupununi residents who were injured when the walls of their house collapsed.
RAM also has a truck which is currently being used for the distribution of water treated by the regional health officer for the residents, until potable water can be restored to the region.
The NGO was instrumental in establishing a volunteer coordination centre at its office in Lethem during the flood for persons desirous of volunteering their services.     
Since the flood started, the Ministry of Health, in a timely manner, responded by strengthening its medical personnel throughout the region, and sending in a quantity of flood kits consisting of medical supplies that would be important in instances of flooding and medication for vomiting, dehydration, diarrhoea and other illnesses.                     
The ministry also enacted a plan which saw the West Demerara Regional Hospital and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation on high alert, should there be a need to evacuate patients from the Lethem Hospital. The ministry, as part of its plan, had admitted pregnant women in their later stages of pregnancy ( 34 to 37 weeks) as an intervention method should there be a need to access medical attention or deliver as the situation worsens.       
In May, the region’s health authorities received a consignment of regular medication; and shortly after, the Regional Health Officer, Dr. Khemraj Khanhai, also took in another batch. As a result, there is an adequate supply of drugs, especially those used to defend against water-borne diseases.        
Ten gallons of malathion and two spray cans were sent in to the region for vector control purposes. Additional spray cans were deployed when the water level started receding.
Health workers are spraying the villages to ensure residents are not affected by insects and pests, especially mosquitoes which can transmit malaria. (GINA)