SENIOR Superintendent Maxine Graham of the Guyana Police Force and head of the Association of Women Police led a team of dynamic female police officers on a medical outreach on the West Bank of Demerara ahead of International Women’s Day.

Speaking with the Chronicle at the event yesterday, Graham explained that the initiative was planned in two parts. She first stated that the drive was to bring medical services to persons in their hometown rather than them having to travel to hospitals and health centres.

In addition, the move was also to complement the approach of Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud with his new approach of engaging members of communities across the country on soft projects and collaborations.

Among the partners of Saturday’s medical outreach according to the senior police officer were the Ministry of Health, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, The Blood Bank, Dental School, Eye Care, Vector Control Unit, Foot Clinic, the Guyana Defence Force, and other organisations and departments of the Ministry of Health.

The police, prior to their appearance in the community, did some groundwork by visiting the homes and communities of persons, encouraging them to come out to the facility to access the various medical services. Immediately after the opening of the various services, the area was packed with persons seeking medical attention before the place became less crowded with persons who were just waiting on specific medical attention.
The police also made a note of the number of persons who visited and received medical services by the various medical treatment tents.
In his address, Divisional Commander Marlon Chapman said the move by the police association was a very much appreciated, and is one which has sought to ease the strain on many persons seeking medical attention of various sorts. He said the police will continue to engage members of the public in many different ways in keeping with its new approach to policing and police public partnership.
By Leroy Smith