By Naomi Parris
THE Kwakwani Regional Hospital was recently the recipient of a timely donation of medical and cleaning supplies so it could join the rest of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) in stemming the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

The simple yet significant handing-over ceremony took place at the Georgetown office of the Ministry of Public Health, where the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, Dr. Gregory Harris explained that because medical supplies are in such great demand at Kwakwani they wasted no time in putting in their requisition early. Still surprised at the urgency with which their request was treated, but extremely grateful nonetheless, Dr. Harris said: “We needed these supplies, and I can tell you that we received a significant number of supplies both for medical and cleaning purposes. And this will certainly boost the hospital’s COVID 19 response.”

He said that among some of the items they received were N95 masks, surgical masks, surgical gowns, PPE-required gowns, infrared thermometers and googles. He said that now they have a decent supply of stocks, the hospital was recently able to conduct a two-day sanitisation exercise, where the entire hospital and its environs were cleaned up with the view of ensuring that both staff and the public are safeguarded.

Noting the many COVID-related and other health challenges they would have encountered before their benefactors came to their aid, Dr. Harris said:

“Prior to receiving these supplies, we had several difficulties and challenges, but thankfully, with the supplies that we have received, we can now address a number of issues coming out of the hospital, as our staff are in a better position to address several medical-related issues.”

Speaking to the timeliness of the donation, and using the opportunity to thank the government for its kind gesture, Dr. Harris said:

“I want to assure the residents of Kwakwani that we, like Linden and other parts of Region 10, are equally prepared and ready to address any issues as a result of COVID 19. Rest assured that the Kwakwani Hospital is very prepared and ready as collectively we attempt fighting this disease.”

He also seized the opportunity to urge the residents of Kwakwani and its environs to make use of the hotlines that have been set up to address their coronavirus and other health-related concerns, and to follow the necessary guidelines set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the health authorities.

He further urged persons to avoid coming directly to the hospital, and make use of their local health clinics and centres.

“We are asking the community to utilise several of the hotlines that have already been set up, so that persons do not turn up at the hospital for matters that can be addressed at the health centres, or more so can be addressed via the hotline. We are appealing to the public to pay attention to the guidelines and measures being implemented, as this is only how we would be able to collaboratively address this pandemic,” Dr. Harris said.