By Frederick Halley
GUYANA Help The Kids (GHTK) is in the process of finalising plans to expand operations from its current focus on Guyana to other territories within the Eastern Caribbean.
Based in Toronto, Canada, the planned expansion which is being targeted for 2019 implementation, will have as its foundation the valuable lessons learned and experience gained from GHTK’s activities in Guyana over the last 11 years, according to founder and president Dr Narendra Singh.

The Guyana-born Singh disclosed that the organisation has gained invaluable lessons “from our experience working in Guyana to develop the neonatal and paediatric programmes. Much of that learning has come from some mistakes that we have made and the many successes that we have had in the process.”

Singh pointed out that “engaging the government, identifying common goals and defining responsibilities were crucial to the success of any programme. Achieving these goals without having a vision of sustainability would have been a sure prescription for failure. Our experience tells us today that education and ownership have to be the two pillars of sustainability.”

Singh further disclosed that GHTK has been successful in educating numerous outstanding physicians and nurses who have taken the responsibility for owning these programmes, while taking great pride in ensuring that the programmes maintain the highest quality.
The government of Guyana, Singh said, “has also assumed ownership of the majority of the programmes, at least from a financial perspective. Though our work is not yet done in Guyana, we feel confident of the need to now expand our activities to other Caribbean countries with similar needs.”

Singh pointed out that GHTK feels that a natural progression should be into the Caribbean, “given the similarities in culture, language and the largely identical challenges. We have approached the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) since they are a natural conduit to gain access to the government and health sectors of the respective islands.”
The GHTK has also engaged Dr Carlene Radix who is the head of the Health of Health Human and Social Cluster Lead of the OECS in a strategic partnership to identify the needs of the Region and to develop a plan to address these challenges.

Dr Radix, it was disclosed, facilitated a video-conference meeting with hospital representatives and neonatal caregivers from some of the islands, during which time the opportunity was taken to listen to the challenges and gaps in the care provided to babies within the Region. “Our general impression is that they are interested in working with GHTK and other partners to elevate the level of care provided for the Region’s high-risk babies,”

Touching specifically on the proposed plans, Dr Singh said the OECS Commission has decided to engage a number of partners to form an alliance to address maternal and neonatal issues in the OECS. “The alliance’s mandate will be to address the many challenges facing the OECS in their desire to provide the highest standards of neonatal care. Representatives from the OECS member states, GHTK and the World Paediatric Project (WPP) are some of the partners being considered.

Singh assured that “the major lesson learned in Guyana was that success of this programme hinges on developing a partnership with the government to ensure that there is a shared vision and a delegation of responsibilities.

“To this end, I would like to thank our Consul-General from Guyana, Anyin Choo, for facilitating a presentation to the consuls-general of all of the Caribbean islands. After our presentation, they were all very positive about the plan and volunteered to help us in our efforts to engage the local diaspora. They also agreed to facilitate required meetings with their respective governments. After this very favourable reception, I am confident that we are on the correct path for GTHK’s expansion.”

Singh opined that an engagement with the Canadian Caribbean Diaspora will be fundamental to GHTK’s required expansion of its donor base, as it seeks to acquire the financial support that will be necessary to fulfil its plans. Towards this end, GHTK will be embarking on several new and exciting public awareness activities in the months ahead.
Singh feels exciting times now lie ahead for GHTK. “Exciting times which will also be filled with beckoning opportunities for all to become involved in GHTK’s expansion plans. I invite you to come be a part of what promises to be an interesting and fulfilling journey for all involved.”