— Minister Ramsaran tells large gathering at Region 4 flag-raising ceremony

HEALTH Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran joined Region 4 residents at the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) office at Triumph, East Coast Demerara on Friday, February 21, to commemorate Guyana’s 44th republic anniversary with the traditional flag-raising ceremony.

Guyana gained republican status on February 23, 1970, nearly four years after achieving independence from Great Britain on May 26, 1966.

Minister Ramsaran said that while a lot of achievements have been made over the past 44 years, a lot of challenges still exist. He pointed to benchmarks such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to show clearly how many strides have since been made.
One major achievement under the MDGs, which constitute a good measure of progress, is attainment of universal primary education; and the country is now poised to attain universal secondary education anytime soon.

As regards the health sector, Minister Ramsaran said the health care delivery system has seen major overhauling over the past 20 years, with significant investments, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and human resource development.

The sore issue of maternal health has caused the Health Ministry to be heavily criticised. Minister Ramsaran explained that, in 2012, twenty-five (25) women lost their lives in childbirth. This, he said, has been drastically reduced through interventions that have since been made. Last year, only 18 such deaths were recorded, 11 of which had been directly related to pregnancy.

Additionally, the Health Ministry has partnered with Canadian charity Guyana Help the Kids to expand the services of neo-natal intensive care in the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Linden and New Amsterdam hospitals.

In terms of eradicating hunger and extreme poverty, another MDG, Guyana received an award from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for being one of 17 countries in the world to reduce hunger and address food security.

“I (would) like to encourage us to continue in this harmonious fashion of addressing our differences, respecting our diversity, and building from strength to strength… Guyana is back on track! Let’s keep it there,” the Health Minister said.

Region 4 Chairman Clement Corlette said the Region 4 administration is very pleased with its performance in terms of executing its 2013 work programme. Under the region’s current work programme for the financial year ended December 31, 2013, $2.95B was spent, which accounted for approximately 98.49 percent of the finances allocated.

Under drainage and irrigation, 98.24 percent of the allotment was spent; whilst 100 percent of the allotment for maintenance of other infrastructure was spent; as were 96.79 percent under public works, 92.19 percent under health, and 99.27 percent under capital expenditure.

Corlette added that while the strides made in the last 44 years must be recognised, there are still many issues that need addressing, such as correcting the local government system.

(GINA)