THE Ministry of Public Health is putting systems in place to ensure that there is an adequate amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) in stock, particularly for health workers attending to COVID-19 patients.

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Finance and some other donor partners to see how best we can keep those stock levels up,” Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, disclosed.

He noted that the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), along with other major agencies, have made remarkable contributions in the fight against the pandemic.

“Protective gear, including hazmat suits which were donated by the Chinese Government during Guyana’s histoplasmosis outbreak (in Matthew’s Ridge), were also repossessed and were distributed equally to the health facilities, the CMO disclosed.

“All the PPE come along with disposable latex gloves which are in good supply now. The Permanent Secretary was able to acquire a reasonable amount,” Dr. Persaud explained during an appearance on the NCN programme, COVID-19 Conversations.

He acknowledged the challenges, citing that the gear cannot be used extensively and have to be replaced between contact with patients.

Importantly, Guyana is in line to receive approximately 30,000 masks, a number of ventilators and other medical equipment from the People’s Republic of China as it ups its fight against COVID-19. Added to that, the country has turned to the Government of India for financial assistance. In an address to the nation last Saturday, President David Granger said the fight against COVID-19 requires unprecedented expenditure and outlay of resources to enable identification and testing, isolation, protection and treatment.