DEFENCE Headquarters, Base Camp Ayanganna, was again in the spotlight of achievements as the Guyana Defence Force, during its 47th anniversary celebrations, commissioned a medical annexe yesterday morning.
At a ceremony attended by GDF Chief

of Staff, Commodore Gary Best; senior officers, ranks of the Medical Corps, specialists and civilians, soldiers, government and international representatives, Charge d’Affairs of the US Embassy, Mr. Thomas Pierce; NAPS Manager, Dr. Shanti Singh and others, the proceedings were chaired by Programme Coordinator of the Guyana Defence Force HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme, Ms. Beverly Gomes-Lovell, who gave a brief overview of the GDF HIV/AIDS programme as she expressed how privileged it was for her to be present at the handing over ceremony of the Medical Centre Annexe.
The Guyana Defence Force HIV/AIDS prevention programme, in line with the President’s Relief Fund for HIV/AIDS transitioning from emergency response to reporting sustainability in this continuous battle to mitigate HIV/AIDS, has recognized the need for further development of the medical infrastructure to support HIV testing and counselling for sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis diagnosis, as part of PEPFAR’s vision for strengthening work, will be continuing with their partners, one of which is the GDF.
“We will continue to provide assistance to the GDF medical facility, to develop structural capacity which will provide clinical care for the HIV positive members and for our military members.
“Today’s ceremony is another example of PEPFAR’s assistance. The Medical Centre Annexe houses a training facility to accommodate sessions for the medical personnel, peer educators, counsellors and testers.
“The facility also houses an extension to the laboratory, office and storage space for medical supplies,” Ms Gomes-Lovell said.
Additionally, she noted that the GDF has installed an electronic-mounted information system which will play an important role in the delivery of prevention, care and treatment as per the programme.
This system will meet the training of management and reporting requirements of the medical system, as it will also provide referral to the national health system, to complement the existing services now present at the GDF Medical Corps.
“The significance of the capacity building was well noted by PEPFAR, and this project was endorsed by various organisations. Indeed, we have received technical, financial and moral support thus far,” she said as she highlighted the corps of medical personnel and others.
She noted that with the high rate of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, there is still more to be done in educating the ranks, and in testing and screening to curb the rate of spread of the deadly disease.
Ms Beverley Gomes-Lovell concluded her remarks by saying that HIV is not a complex pandemic that varies from place to place, country to country; and that the GDF is stepping up its fight against the disease, and “this kind of progress deserves your support”, as she indicated that things have not been easy and not been steady.
In November 2011, she said, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton stated: “We know and we can create a new generation by dictating solutions; but, in our country, partners, including the government, NGOs and faith-based organisations, need to hold and lead their nations’ response. Therefore, much of what we do will depend on everyone present today, and the hundreds and thousands likely, for there is no finish line, and we must keep going.”
In his brief address, Mr. Thomas Pierce, Charge’ d’Affairs of the US Embassy in Guyana, expressed how pleased he was to be a part of the handing over ceremony of the GDF Medical Centre Annexe.
Pierce noted that the US is pleased to partner with the GDF, through PEPAR, to address the most urgent needs of those affected by HIV/AIDS.
“This venture, which commenced in February, was successfully constructed and designed and completed as the GDF’s flagship medical institution — the extension of the medical laboratory to enhance the medical care of members of the GDF in a safe, functional and stable environment.
“Additionally they have increased the capacity to increase linkages in HIV counselling and testing, and sexually infected disease and TB.
“This laboratory enhancement will enable the GDF medical technicians to be trained to the skill level of other technicians in other laboratories; and with assistance from the National Public Assistance Library, the United States and Guyana has shared a rich history in military partnership in the past several decades, and expanded with other programmes in March 2010. And over the past six years, the GDF has developed an interesting programme to fight HIV/AIDS and also create testing and care for its patients.
“The creation of this Medical Annexe offers the opportunity for a sustainable effort, and to reinforce bilateral partnership with the GDF by building a greater military-to-military relationship,” the Charge d’Affaires said.
He assured the GDF that the US and PEPFAR will continue to partner with the local army in order to support Guyana now and in the future.
GDF Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best, in his address, expressed pleasure to utter remarks at the handing over of the Medical Corps Annexe.
He declared this a part of the GDF’s 47th anniversary celebrations, as he stressed the importance of educating the GDF ranks and identifying with the fight against HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS represent one of the greatest health challenges to the world, and not only create social and economic constraints, but also generate national security concerns.
“As a defence force, Commodore Best said, “we are trained to defeat visual enemies. HIV/AIDS has presented us with a more uphill task to defeat this enemy that any (task) our nations have faced before.
“The worldwide death toll as a result of HIV/AIDS has so far exceeded the military casualties of all of the wars in total in the twentieth century.
“The strategies and tactics we have used to fight this enemy will have to be well plotted out and all-inclusive. AIDS respects no national boundaries, spares no race or religion, and devastates men and women. Fighting AIDS is an urgent calling, as, in every land; there is value for the citizens.
“All Guyanese are being reached and provided treatment through PEPFAR, and the best medical care keeps people in good health. Education is spreading, and millions are learning to live with HIV/AIDS, instead of waiting to die from it or be ridiculed.”
These programmes have resulted in decline in the infection rates of young men and women. Slowly, the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS is disappearing within the GDF, as more and more people live and work with AIDS.
“In the GDF, we, too, have learnt to live and work with AIDS, and have shown no discrimination to those affected. Our programme here is growing into a healthier force, as it will not allow the disease to incapacitate the members and ranks. As you know, death from AIDS and any other cause results in loss of personnel to (carry out) military prowess and efficiency and so we have to increase the call for recruitment and training of replacements.
“The implications for national security are clear: a military force that is sick and dying will not be able to defend as the one that is healthy; and the GDF, in waging war against the scourge, is setting education and awareness programmes, and we will triumph if we continue along this line,” he said.
Head of NAPS, Dr. Shanti Singh, made her presentation before Force Chaplain Brentnol Bess consecrated the new annexe. This included the ribbon cutting ceremony and the traditional handing over between the CoS and the US Charge d’Affaires.