THE Vector Control Unit along with the Ministry of Health (MoH) last Friday evening took time to appreciate the workers who carry out operations under the vector control unit, by treating them to a dinner and issuing certificates to their hard working staff at the Hot and Spicy Creole Corner, Third and Albert Streets, Georgetown. Present at the ceremony were Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, Chief Executive Officer at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Michael Khan, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Director of the Vector Control Unit, Dr. Reyaud Rahaman, and other officials in the health sector.

Dr. Ramsaran in his remarks noted that over the years these workers were never shown any appreciation, while doctors, nurses and other personnel were treated with respect.

Therefore, he noted, that this was a great gesture by the Vector Control Unit to show their appreciation to their workers who work extremely hard in carrying out the fogging exercises and so forth in efforts to control the malaria and chikungunya viruses from spreading widely.
“The works of these people ought to be recognised because before the chikungunya virus made its presence noticeable in Guyana, during May 2014, the workers were already prepped to try and contain this virus since late 2013,” he said.
According to Minister Ramsaran the team was briefed on what angles they should follow to reduce the number of chikungunya cases as much as possible, while still doing the relevant work to tackle the malaria virus.
Moreover, “this is a great gesture and this should continue in order to show appreciation for these hard working persons; and also there should be more groups developed to train more persons on how to operate the fogging machines and more about what the job entails,” Minister Ramsaran said.
Also speaking at the ceremony, CMO, Dr. Persaud stated that it is great to acknowledge the persons who worked so hard to contain the chikungunya virus.
He noted the training sessions on how to use the fogging machines and so forth which the unit had in Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara. He encouraged persons to join the Vector Control Unit, thereby strengthening the unit’s human resources.
DROP IN CHIKUNGUNYA CASES
Dr. Persaud disclosed that the fogging exercises which the workers were taking part in across the country helped in the reduction of number of chikungunya cases.
“So far for this year, there have so far been 42 suspected cases, meanwhile there were 5,210 suspected cases in the latter part of last year,” he said.
LAB TESTS LOCALLY
Apart from that, he stated that public health laboratories in Guyana are now able to carry out testing for the chikungunya virus, and this is a major benefit for the health sector.
In closing he stated that it’s good to show appreciation for the persons who actually do the fieldwork, and try to counter the viruses from the outside before it can be contracted.
Meanwhile Dr. Rahaman in his address said that the vector control unit worked very hard in 2014 to put a big dent in the mosquito population and he assured the public that the intense work will continue throughout 2015.
MALARIA CASES
He disclosed that they recorded a successful but very difficult 2014. However, the hard work paid off because along with the chikungunya cases the malaria cases were also managed.
“In 23 years malaria cases have never been this low; in 2014 there were only 12,000 recorded cases compared to that of well over 30,000 cases in the past,” he said. And as they go along they intend to drop the number of malaria cases to less than 1,000 cases in the near future.
Dr. Rahaman added that the fogging exercises stretched all across Guyana, which involved workers, both men and women, working all through the night to ensure that most areas were fogged.
In closing, he noted that the certificates which were distributed to the personnel indicate that they are qualified in the line of work which they do under the Vector Control Unit.
Moreover, he encouraged them to promote more public awareness so that more persons could be recruited and trained to aid in the fight to dent the mosquito population.