THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has collaborated with the Ministry of Health to host a workshop on capacity building for Environmental Health practitioners in the local government system.

The workshop which was held yesterday at the Regency Suites hotel on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, was aimed at building capacity for Environment Health Officers (EHOs), Regional Health Officers (RHOs), and Regional Environmental Health Officers (REHOs), along with other staff.

The 105 individuals from the 10 Administrative Regions received training in the areas of roles and functions of local authorities in the public and environmental health system of Guyana, line and functional relationship between local authorities and public/environmental health practitioners, functional responsibilities among regional departments of health and regional environment health divisions, and the mandate of the Environmental Protection Agency among others.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker noted that over the past 11 months, the ministry has been conducting such exercises and meetings across the country.
He added that these are aimed at identifying shortcomings and challenges and coming up with solutions.

Further, the minister pointed out that there are often difficulties in the system due to the fact that health workers often say “they don’t work with the Local Government Ministry or the Regional Health Officers”. He advised that the staff become familiar with the administration’s rules because the regional administration is in charge of health care in the regions despite the staff being paid through the Health Ministry.
He urged participants of the workshop to do their jobs effectively as he noted that numerous complaints have been filed with the ministry. “We listen to the voice of the people and we try to deliver.”

In addition, Minister Whittaker shared the sentiments of the individuals in the gathering and pointed out that there will be occasions when they will be unable to deliver. However, the effort to assist is what is important.

Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran noted that there is room for the enforcement of discipline and added that individuals who are not adhering to environmental health rules and regulations should be penalised.

This statement was also complemented by Minister Whittaker, who strongly urged the EHOs to familiarise themselves with the laws and ensure that persons are taken to court for breaching them.

He also warned the officers to desist from favouritism and overlooking acts of their friends, and do their jobs efficiently.