— says Min. Lawrence in Labour Day message

By Naomi Parris
PUBLIC Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, has hailed healthcare professionals as heroes in the fight against COVID-19, in a message in observance of Labour Day.

The minister stated that it is critical that healthcare workers are celebrated and appreciated, especially during the current events, as they are working beyond the call of duty to combat the deadly COVID-19.

“In commemoration of Labour Day 2020, I find it prudent to recognise and underscore the invaluable work done by our nurses, doctors and other medical professionals, who have served above and beyond the call of duty; 24/7,” she stated.
Minister Lawrence added that while appreciation is important all year-round, this time of year is the perfect time to express appreciation.

“I am proud to state that our healthcare professionals are the smartest, most innovative, most conscientious people I know. They are seizing the opportunity to find innovative solutions to the problems we face and continue to work tirelessly for the recovery of their patients and for the protection of all Guyanese.”

The minister, in expressing her gratitude to health care workers stated, “my heartfelt thanks to all of our caregivers for the energy, innovation and patient-focus solutions they bring to this necessary and ongoing task of fighting the spread of COVID-19 in Guyana”.
The significance of Labour Day is the recognition of the struggles of workers and their significant input into society, and, with this in mind, Minister Lawrence added, that the contributions of the country’s public healthcare system to Guyanese society is second to none.

DISCRIMINATION
Recently, the manager/head of Strategic Planning and Communication at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Chelauna Providence, had stated that there have been several reports of discrimination against healthcare workers since the first confirmed case in March.

“We have been receiving reports from nurses and doctors that taxi services have refused to pick them up and bring them to work, supermarkets have asked them to leave when they are in uniform or have their badges on. We basically want to let the public know that nurses, especially, are frontline workers when it comes to responding to COVID-19.”

Providence further stated that nurses are constantly working overtime to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Guyana and deserve to be treated with respect during this critical period.
“Our nurses and our doctors are continuously preparing for any possible situation in Guyana and they have been working hard and overtime to do so, so we want people to extend the same courtesies that they would to everyone else… Additionally, people should be a bit more accommodating to healthcare workers because if you should get sick or if you should need healthcare, the healthcare workers are going to be the ones to take care of you,” she stated.

Providence noted that the stigma that is being displayed is centred on the lack of knowledge and persons should educate themselves and adhere to the precautionary measures set out by the health system.