…Kits worth 4,088.27 pounds sterling
THE British High Commission made a 4,088.27 pounds sterling grant to the Ministry of Health yesterday that will significantly help treat children and adults with disabilities, mostly from Guyana’s remote areas. The assistance, approved in March, is for the procurement of 50 assessment kits, comprising supplies and equipment for physiotherapy and occupational and speech therapy.
The packages are to be used by rehabilitation assistants and usage and emphasis will be placed in  Regions 1 (Barima/Waini),7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni),8 (Potaro/Siparuni) and 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).
The donations form an essential part of the tools for use in the screening process and accentuate the Rehabilitation Division’s strategic objective to promote its community-based work within its national strategy.
The project, currently, has the cooperation of both the Health and Education Ministries.
At a ceremony in the Health Ministry, on Brickdam, Georgetown, yesterday, British High Commissioner, Mr. Andrew Ayre made the presentation to Rehabilitation Assistant Gracella Moonsammy. Also present were Rehab Service Director Barbara Lawrence, Permanent Secretary Leslie Cadogan and Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) Speech and Language Therapist Fiona Craven.
Craven, attached to the Health Ministry, had, earlier this year, submitted a proposal for assistance with procurement of the packages and they were provided by VSO through a European Commission (EC) funded disability programme and the British High Commission financed the equipment and supplies which were purchased, locally, from Austin’s Book Store, Giftland Office Max, Metro and Twins Manufacturing.
Ayre said he was delighted to be helping the ministry tackle the problem of disability in Guyana and observed that what was made available would identify the learning needs of both children and adults.
Significant progress
He said the ministry will be able to make significant progress in tackling disability and improving the lives of all Guyanese.
The diplomat also said that he looks forward to continued involvement in projects such as these.
Cadogan expressed thanks, on behalf of the government, for the worthy donation and confirmed that it comprised things that will be utilised to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
He agreed that it was timely and will certainly see the beneficiaries living a better life.
According to the Ministry of Health, in Guyana today, it is estimated that there are 7,000 children living with disabilities and a significant under-referral of those suffering to services in the country, especially in the regions outside of Georgetown.
Factors such as reduced access to transportation and awareness of services to the public, as well as the stigmatisation impact on the gross under-utilisation.
Meanwhile, rehabilitation assistants are mid-level health workers trained to deliver services of physiotherapy, speech, language and occupational therapy to children and adults in clinics nationwide.
The ministry also said there is a need for the assistants to do outreach screenings to identify persons living with disabilities.
“The Division of Rehabilitation, Ministry of Health continues to strive to achieve all of its goals, in particular that all preventable disabilities are reduced and all persons with disabilities are receiving equitable and high quality services that enable them to function as equal citizens,” the ministry said.